Teenager 'used vehicle as a weapon' when he reversed car into PCSO

A TEENAGE motorist has been locked up after he reversed his car, dragging a police community support officer to the ground.

Zakir Ajaib knocked Monica Bhardwaj from her feet after she became suspicious that he was smoking cannabis in his vehicle. She banged her head and suffered ligament damage to her wrist and whiplash injuries.

Sending Ajaib, 19, to a young offenders' institution for 30 weeks, Judge John Gosling said: "This officer was doing her job when you ran her down. These injuries could have been much worse but you didn't care."

He said Ajaib, of Crewe Street, Derby, had literally used his vehicle as "a weapon".

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Derby Crown Court heard PCSO Bhardwaj and her colleague, Holly MacGregor, had become suspicious of the car while it was parked in Hastings Street, Derby.

Alex Wolfson, prosecuting, said: "Miss Bhardwaj stopped and challenged the defendant and asked him what he was doing. He had an open cigarette paper on his knee and something in his hands but he didn't reply. He looked back blankly at her. PCSO MacGregor stood in front of the car and called for back up."

Mr Wolfson said that Ajaib then started fiddling with his keys in the ignition and was told to stop but started the car and reversed back about three metres.

The car door had been slightly ajar and caught PCSO Bhardwaj, dragging her back, then knocking her to the floor so her head hit the pavement.

Mr Wolfson said she had put out her arm to break her fall. Ajaib drove off but he was arrested after his vehicle was traced.

After the incident, PCSO Bhardwaj was taken to Royal Derby Hospital for treatment. She was off work for three months.

In court, Ajaib admitted driving dangerously on July 12. Clive Stockwell, in mitigation, said: "As to that day, he accepts he was misusing cannabis and understands he shouldn't have done that but it no doubt affected his decision-making skills.

"He apologises to the officer and feels very sorry for what he has done."

After the sentencing, Inspector Richard Keene, who is in charge of policing in Derby West, said: "Seeing this offender jailed for 30 weeks is a fantastic result and I hope he has time to reflect on what he did while he is behind bars."