Jail for driver Fahri who knocked over policeman
by Keith Hunt
A thug who left a police officer unconscious in the road after
driving at him and carrying him on the bonnet of his car for about
200 metres has been jailed for seven years.
John Fahri took the drastic action after Sgt Ross Shearer and PC
Trevor Horner tried to question him about not paying at Best Kebab
in London Road, Southborough.
Keith Yardy, prosecuting, said the officers were in full
uniform on December 9 last year and it was dark.
Suddenly, Fahri, 30, started the engine of his Vauxhall Astra
and surged forward.
"Sergeant Shearer had to jump on the bonnet," Mr Yardy told
Maidstone Crown Court on Friday. "He was shouting to the driver to
stop.
"PC Horner was close and was also shouting at the driver to
stop. He was hitting the side of the windscreen."
Fahri drove out of Springfield Road towards Tonbridge. PC Horner
gave chase on foot.
Mr Yardy said the car sped up the A26. About 200 metres down the
road, PC Horner found Sgt Shearer lying on the pavement. He had
come off the bonnet and been hit by another car.
"He was drifting in and out of consciousness and was shaking,"
said the prosecutor. "An ambulance arrived and he was taken to
Pembury Hospital."
A picture of Fahri was put on Crimewatch and a Metropolitan
police officer identified him. He was not arrested until January
3.
Mr Yardy said Sgt Shearer, who has a young family, graphically
described the profound effect the incident had on him. He had still
not returned to work.
No bones were broken but he suffered severe muscular injuries
and was in constant pain.
Fahri, of Janny's Close, Aylsham, was recalled to prison to for
being in breach of his licence for a previous offence.
He admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent, dangerous
driving and fraud by using a stolen credit card to get the
windscreen repaired.
Slightly built Fahri, whose partner is expecting their first
baby, was said to have been the victim of bullying throughout his
life and had previously been kidnapped for two days in an attempt
to extort money from him.
He claimed he panicked when the two officers approached his car.
The windscreen was cracked when it was struck.
Judge Charles Macdonald QC sentenced Fahri to six years four
months for causing grievous bodily harm with intent, eight months
consecutive for fraud and eight months concurrent for dangerous
driving.
He was banned from driving for 18 months.
Detective Sergeant Karen Festing, who
led the investigation, said: "I would like to thank all the members
of the public who called us with information, and the media for
their help in raising public awareness to the incident as we sought
to trace the suspect.
"A man who showed a dangerous lack of
regard for human life has been sent to prison for a considerable
amount of time."
The officer was not seriously injured
and hopes to return to duty soon.
19/03/12
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