Dramatic moment police car SLAMS into suspect’s vehicle as ‘controlled stop’ brings chase to an sudden end on KentA-road
Connor Harrison, of Canterbury, has been jailed for three years following a series of offences in September
Dramatic footage shows the moment a police car slammed into a suspect's vehicle as a 'controlled stop' brought a high-speed car chase to an end on a Kent A-road.
Connor Harrison, of Canterbury, had earlier in the day committed a series of violent assaults in Whitstable on 9 September 2020, for which police were chasing him for.
These included assaults against two woman and a child. The 25-year-old has since been jailed for three years.
He was already the subject of a suspended sentence for controlling and coercive behaviour, according to Kent Police, and had threatened and assaulted a woman known to him as well as members of her family.
Video from a police officer's shoulder camera shows the car driven by Harrison attempt to make a dangerous U-Turn on the A229 Thanet Way at speed.
Police are seen driving at speed down the A-road. Ahead of the police car from which the footage was filmed, another police car can be seen exiting the road via a junction in pursuit of a third vehicle, driven by Harrison.
Harrison is then suddenly seen pulling out into the middle of the road in an attempt to make a U-turn to evade the pursuing police.
Pictured: Moments before a police car driven by a Kent Police officer slammed into the side of the car driven by Connor Harrison in a controlled stop after a high-speed chase on the A229
As it pulled out into the middle of the road, rather than slowing down or trying to avoid Harrison's car, the driver of the police vehicle instead crashes into the side of it, executing a controlled stop.
The officers get out of the car, and the damage to both vehicles is shown before Harrison is removed from the vehicle and arrested on the road.
Kent Police said that the chase came after Harrison has stood outside the property where one of the the two woman was staying, calling her repeatedly on his phone.
He then used concrete blocks to damage her car and a window of her home, which shattered over a child who was inside at the time, police said.
Harrison then reportedly threw stones at a second woman who tried to intervene in the situation, before he left the scene and was pursued by the police.
'Due to the dangerous nature of his driving, which included travelling on two deflating tyres after officers deployed a stinger, and the need to protect the public, tactical contact was used by specially trained officers to bring his car to a controlled stop,' Kent Police said in a statement.
Harrison attempted to make a U-turn in the middle of the A-road when fleeing from police, but was brought to a stop when a police car slammed into the side of his car
Harrison was arrested after being brought to a controlled stop, but not before he kicked, spat and verbally abused the pursuing officers, Kent Police said
When his car was stopped, Harrison also reportedly kicked, spat and verbally abused the pursuing officers.
Detective Inspector Andy Bidmead said: ‘Connor Harrison is a violent bully. He thought he could intimidate women and cause damage to other people’s belongings, without any repercussions.
'He showed absolutely no respect to the law or other road users when he drove dangerously to evade arrest.
'It is not acceptable for anyone to be on the receiving end of this type of abuse and our officers will support any victims who find themselves facing a similar situation.’
Harrison admitted dangerous driving, harassment, four counts of assault - including one against an emergency services worker - two counts of criminal damage and driving while disqualified.
He was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Wednesday 9 December.