Ex-cop in 130 MPH CAR CHASE

Published on 31st May 2007 in News

A former police woman from Goole has been given a suspended prison sentence after a 130 mph car chase during which she rammed a police car three times.

Rebecca Louise Walker (27), of Hook Road, swerved in front of other drivers as she tried to escape pursuing police cars on November 19.

After ramming the police car three times and causing it to crash and the officer to be injured, she eventually crashed her car on the North Cave slip road and ran off across the fields.

When officers caught up with her, she spat and shouted at them.

A judge at Hull Crown Court said the case was: "Just about the worst driving I can remember dealing with when nobody has been killed or seriously injured."

Nigel Cowgill, Humberside Police Chief Crown Prosecutor, described her behaviour as 'selfish' and said: "Walker's actions put lives at risk.

"It is fortunate that no one was killed."

A former policewoman from Goole who drove for 18 miles at speeds of up to 130 mph, swerving as she did so, has been told by a judge that it was the worst dangerous-driving case that he had ever seen.

Rebecca Louise Walker (27), of Hook Road, was spotted driving erratically in east Hull on November 19 last year.

As police began pursuing her, she sped through Hull then along the A63 and M62, ramming a police car and causing the driver to hit his head, lose control and crash.

The defendant, a former Humberside Police officer, swerved in front of other motorists to escape the police and eventually pulled off the road at North Cave, crashing her Peugeot on the slip road as she did so.

She ran across two fields and yelled to police: "You cannot do this to me. I used to be one of you!"

When officers caught up with her, she spat at them and hit two in the face. Two officers were also injured when they climbed over a barbed wire fence.

Ms Walker had been out drinking on the night in question but refused to take a breath test.

Nigel Cowgill, Humberside Chief Crown Prosecutor, described the incident as "shocking" and said: "Professional traffic officers who bravely police the roads of Humberside should not be subjected to such abhorrent behaviour.

"The officer suffered painful injuries and was on sick leave for a long period of time as a result of the selfish behaviour of this defendant, who deliberately tried to evade justice.

"Walker's actions put lives at risk.

"It is fortunate that no one was killed."

Judge Michael Mettyear at Hull Crown Court said: "This is just about the worst driving I can remember dealing with when nobody has been killed or seriously injured.

"It is quite remarkable nobody was killed or badly injured.

"Had someone died, the sentence would be one of six years and that is what you were risking driving in this absolutely appalling way.

"The fact you come from a good home and were a police officer makes all of this worse and you ought to be thoroughly ashamed of yourself."

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Leaver said:

"Walker drove in an incredibly dangerous and foolhardy manner."

Ms Walker pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, assaulting two police officers and failing to provide a specimen.

She was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and disqualified from driving for three years.

She was also ordered to have psychiatric treatment.

In her defence, barrister David Tremburg said his client had been suffering from depression at the time.

"When the police came on the scene, she panicked and tried to get away.

"Mercifully, no one was seriously injured.

"She has set about trying to rebuild her life."

The court heard that Ms Walker had resigned as a police officer last year.