Driver jailed after hitting police car, seriously injuring officer

A driver has been jailed after speeding into the back of a police car in Leicestershire, leaving an officer with serious neck, back and limb injuries. In November 2022, computer James Yeoman was tracking a Land Rover Freelander on the M1 displaying false number plates.

Pc Yeoman followed the vehicle from a distance and it exited at junction 22 and headed towards Markfield. On Old House Lane, the Land Rover stopped and the driver, Gerard McDonagh, backed into the police car and hit it with such force that the airbags deployed and McDonagh, 21, of Copt Oak Road, Markfield , then started.

Pc Yeoman suffered serious injuries to his legs, back, neck and arm and was taken to Queen’s Medical Center in Nottingham. Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the police car.

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McDonagh was arrested at his home and did not go to a police station for an interview after being released on bail. He was only arrested last month and charged with dangerous driving, criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker.

He was remanded in custody and pleaded guilty to the charges at his first appearance at Leicester Crown Court. Today (Friday) he was jailed for 10 months and banned from driving for two years and five months.

Sergeant Steve Jackson, of the RPU, said: “Officers in the unit are highly skilled in their field and are trained to pursue vehicles – sometimes at high speed, putting themselves in harm’s way to reach a safe solution. We expect an element of risk in our work, but when a suspect deliberately speeds into a police car, it is totally unacceptable.

“Pc Yeoman suffered a serious leg injury and had to undergo months of treatment. Undoubtedly, such an incident has an impact on everyone involved, including colleagues who attended the scene.

“We hope this result will reassure Pc Yeoman that the defendant has been brought to justice and now faces a prison sentence for his actions.”

DC Joe Mulvany, the investigating officer, added: “McDonagh has shown no remorse for his actions and during the investigation he did not answer bail and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

“For this reason, unfortunately, the legal process was delayed. We are delighted that he has now admitted his crimes and been sentenced.”

A 22-year-old woman, who was also arrested during the incident, remains under investigation for assisting a criminal and perverting the course of justice.