Driver who crashed head-on into police car jailed

Joseph Sharpes' deliberate actions left two officers in hospital with serious injuries, said police

A man has been jailed after deliberately driving into a police car which was responding to a 999 call over concerns for his safety.

The crash in June on Crewe Road in Haslington near Crewe left two officers in hospital with serious injuries and one was still off work, said Cheshire Police.

Joseph Sharpes admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, actual bodily harm, drug driving, and possession of cocaine.

The 22-year-old of Chadwick Road, Middlewich, was sentenced to 54 months in prison on Monday at Chester Crown Court.

Sharpes had already left the address in Haslington to which officers were heading, and as their police car drew close to his vehicle, he turned head-on into their path, the force said.

The combined impact speed was estimated to be about 80mph.

Sharpes was arrested at the scene, and was taken to hospital with serious injuries, before being interviewed and charged on his release.

Both officers suffered significant physical and psychological injuries as a result of the crash, said Det Sgt Ryan Ogden.

"The actions of Sharpes not only put himself in danger but also two police officers and other members of the public," he added.

The combined impact speed was estimated to be about 80mph

Cheshire Police said it released dashcam footage of the crash to help address some of the "insensitive comments" made on social media at the time that had suggested the force was to blame.