Carlisle man jailed after driving at officer on duty

A man from Carlisle has been sentenced to over two years and ten months in prison after driving dangerously at a police officer.

Jack Mitchell, 36, of Sunnymeade, Carlisle, was jailed on 30th January for driving a motor vehicle dangerously, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, and failing to stop a car when instructed by an officer.

The incident occurred when officers were conducting unrelated enquiries and saw Mitchell approach a black vehicle and hand something to its driver.

A police constable instructed Mitchell to stop. Although the officer was in plain clothes, they were wearing a harness with a bodycam, radios, a lanyard, and a visible warrant card.

Mitchell reversed away from the officer onto the main road and accelerated towards them, knocking the officer aside. The officer, who was unharmed, was able to note the vehicle's registration before it sped away.

Police tracked the vehicle to the registered address, where they arrested Mitchell.

A search of the car under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act found no prohibited substances but uncovered a large metal bar between the driver's seat and the door.

The car also had tyre tread below the legal limit, contributing to the dangerous driving charge.

H2: Cumberland CID comment on the case

Speaking about the incident, PC Kieran Salkeld from Cumberland CID said Mitchell intentionally drove at the officer, who was visibly identifiable as part of the police force.

“Mitchell claimed he didn’t intentionally drive at the officer and that he didn’t realise they were an officer, and described his own driving as ‘idiotic,’” PC Salkeld said.

“Using a vehicle to drive at someone is extremely dangerous, and fortunately the officer wasn’t seriously injured or worse killed during the incident.”

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