Basingstoke man sentenced for driving at police officers to avoid arrest

A man from Basingstoke was sentenced on 11 January 2023 for dangerous driving when he drove at police officers to avoid being arrested.

Simon Hardy, 37, was sentenced to 14 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, at Winchester Crown Court.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to undertake 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, with a six month alcohol treatment requirement.

Two officers had approached and made themselves known to Hardy, and asked him to show them his hands as he was sat in his car which was parked in the Co-op car park on Queens Road, Northcamp. Instead of doing as the officers asked, Hardy started the engine and drove at speed in the direction of the officers.

Both officers had to jump out of the way to avoid injury, before Hardy mounted the pavement and drove towards Queens Road.

Alison Saunders, CPS Wessex Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: “Hardy clearly had no regard for the safety of these police officers, who both narrowly avoided serious injury. He also put the safety of other road users and pedestrians at risk by the manner of his dangerous driving.

“It is entirely unacceptable to treat police officers in this way, risking their safety when they are working hard to protect the community and keep people safe from harm.

“We will ensure that anyone who causes harm or risks the safety of our emergency service workers is brought to justice wherever possible for their crimes.”