A motorcyclist has been jailed for three years for riding into a police officer in Eastbourne causing him significant injuries.
Alfie Chandler, 20, of Burlington Close, Feltham, London, was riding a “scrambler” style motorcycle in Paradise Drive on Sunday 30 July when he failed to stop for officers and kept riding towards them.
He narrowly missed one officer but hit another, PC David Elliott, on the arm and leg, causing serious injuries that required surgery.
Earlier in the day, two police officers had been carrying out inquiries after a series of motorcycle thefts in the town when they spotted a rider in Meads Road.
The motorcyclist rode away from them towards Paradise Drive where two other officers were patrolling in a marked police car.
The officers got out of their car to direct the rider to stop but he failed to do so.
After crashing into PC Elliott, the rider was arrested and identified as Alfie Chandler.
Chandler was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, handling stolen goods, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified.
He appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 1 August and his case was sent to Kingston Crown Court.
On Tuesday 29 August, Chandler pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified.
He denied handling stolen goods and the court ordered this charge to lie on file.
He was remanded in custody and appeared at the same court for sentencing on Monday (27 November) when he was jailed for three years.
Eastbourne district commander Chief Inspector Di Lewis said: “Our officers are here to protect the public, catch criminals and make our communities a safer place.
“They are not here to be abused, assaulted or injured and, although this is a risk all emergency workers face, it is not acceptable and should never be considered ‘part of the job’.
“This sentencing has removed another dangerous driver from the roads and serves as a reminder that we will not tolerate this behaviour in Sussex and justice will be served.”
