A violent thug has been sent to prison for over seven years after he violently attacked two police officers following a high-speed pursuit.
Darren Hector, aged 42, of Sealy Way, Apsley, appeared before Luton Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday 13th August, after previously pleading guilty to:
- Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) without intent
- Actual Bodily Harm (ABH)
- Possession with intent to supply class A drugs (two counts – cocaine and crack)
- Possession of a class B drug (cannabis resin)
- Dangerous driving
- Possession of criminal property
The court heard how on Wednesday 4th March, at around 20:30 hours, police noticed a BMW that was being driven at high-speed on Hempstead Road in Watford.
They positioned their marked police vehicle behind the BMW and indicated for it to stop. However, the car sped off as it headed out of Watford on the A41 bypass towards Hemel Hempstead.
The BMW was being driven carelessly and dangerously as it sped in and out of traffic travelling at a speed of over 100 mph.
It was not long before the driver lost control of the car, and it collided with an innocent member who the public. The BMW came to a stop on the dual carriageway just before the junction for Hemel Hempstead.
Hector was still determined to evade the police, and so he jumped into a member of the public’s car before ordering the scared driver to drive off.
But the two police officers, one male and one female, caught up with Hector and managed to pull him out of the member of the publics’ car before they were held against their will.
Hector then launched a violent and sustained attack on the two police officers. He punched the male officer in the face, fracturing his cheekbone in the process.
He then grabbed the female officer by the hair and repeatedly smashed her face into the tarmac whilst at the same time choking her.
During the vicious and violent attack, the thug ripped the officer’s personal radio from her vest, preventing her from being able to call for urgent assistance.
By now, several members of the public had stopped and bravely intervened to help the officers who were struggling to overpower and detain Hector.
Collectively they managed to restrain him until additional police officers arrived at the scene.
Hector was arrested, and his vehicle and home address were later searched, where a large number of drugs – class A and B – and cash was recovered.
Detective Constable Joel Gill, from the Dacorum Local Crime Unit, said:
“This was a shocking and completely unwarranted attack on two police officers who were simply doing their job, trying to protect innocent members of the public from Hector’s erratic driving.
“Hector is clearly a violent and dangerous individual who had no qualms about using physical assault to try and evade the law.
“In his victim impact statement, the male officer told how he is still haunted by the screams of his female colleague as Hector launched his horrendous attack on her.
“They have since made full physical recoveries but the memory of this assault will understandably stay with them for a long time.
“I would like to commend the actions of all those members of the public who bravely answered the officers’ calls for help and came to their aid.
“Without their help, Hector may have caused even graver injuries to both constables. I hope his custodial sentence serves as closure for both officers and they can now move forward with their careers.”
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Too many light sentences being passed. They look reasonably lengthy but there is 30 to 50% discount so when that is taken into account the sentences are far too light for the crime.
Will the thug above, Hector, serve the full term of his sentence?
When a police officer or hospital workers are attacked they should get 20 years sentence. These sentences are too short, not a deterrent at all.
Agreed to many light sentences do not serve as a deterrent. Judiciary need to man-up!
Far too lenient a sentence. Perhaps because we have too few prisons. Get building and mete out some proper justice
Clearly a violent career criminal needs locking up until he is an old man a 20 year sentence would be more in keeping with HIS attitude to the police and public