Officer’s fear as motorist fled

An officer feared for his life as he hung onto a car door as it was being driven off by a Telford computer programmer, a court heard.

Manmohan Chander, from Southgate, Sutton Hill, appeared before Telford magistrates yesterday.

He admitted causing actual bodily harm to Sergeant Andrew Murdoch; dangerous driving; driving without insurance; two charges of failing to stop after causing damage in the car; and driving taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, aggravated by the other offences.

Chander, 34, was remanded in custody by town magistrates yesterday and will be sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Mr Rob Edwards, prosecuting, said Chander was thrown out of a nightclub and made off in a friend’s Vectra. He then hit a wall.

Sergeant Murdoch and another officer followed as he drove at points faster than 70mph and through two red traffic lights.

He came to a stop in Bennett’s Bank. Sergeant Murdoch opened Chander’s door and went to take the keys out. As he was doing this Chander accelerated “sharply”, a statement from Sergeant Murdoch said.

“I had to grab hard on the driver’s door so I didn’t get knocked and run over. I genuinely feared for my life.”

Mr John McMillan, for Chander, said he was very sorry for the events and was panicking.