Colchester man who drove onto pavement and hit pedestrians jailed after being found hiding under bed
He mounted the pavement and struck three pedestrians in Queen Street, Colchester, last November
A prolific offender who struck three people with a car after dangerously speeding around Colchester has been jailed.
In May this year, officers were trying to trace Joseph Wicks, 27, in connection with a number of serious offences.
Among them was a dangerous driving incident in Colchester six months earlier, as well as a stalking investigation.
Wicks had previously been identified as the driver of a Fiat 500 which mounted the pavement and struck three pedestrians in Queen Street, Colchester, in the early hours of 30 November last year.
Earlier that morning, he had driven aggressively and dangerously around the city centre.
Wicks drove the wrong way along one-way streets, narrowly missing members of the public as he sped along narrow roads and ignored red traffic lights.
Reaching Queen Street, Wicks drove onto the pavement where a group of people were gathered outside a nightclub.
He struck three people before driving away from the scene and abandoning the car in Wivenhoe Quay.
Fortunately, none of the victims suffered serious injuries.
Officers recovered Wicks’ fingerprints from inside the vehicle and identified him as the driver.
While officers continued their efforts to trace and arrest him, Wicks went on to commit further offences.
A campaign of stalking and harassment against a woman culminated in an incident on 8 May this year.
It was reported that Wicks attended the victim’s address that day.
He was shouting, swearing and acting aggressively, banging on the front door and demanding entry.
Wicks then returned to his van.
When a man approached the parked van and opened the passenger door to speak to Wicks about his behaviour, he reported seeing a metal baseball bat and what appeared to be a handgun.
Wicks left the area but continued to bombard the woman with phone calls and messages.
Due to the report of a potential firearm, specially trained armed officers began enquiries at a number of addresses linked to Wicks.
The following day, on 9 May, officers located his van and recovered the baseball bat. No firearm was found.
Armed officers executed a warrant at an address in Colchester on 11 May.
Multiple people inside the property denied having seen Wicks.
However, after carrying out a thorough search of the property, officers found him hiding underneath an Ottoman bed.
Wicks was arrested and charged with a number of offences, including:
Dangerous driving.
Driving while disqualified.
Driving without insurance.
Failing to stop for police.
Three counts of assault by beating.
Three counts of attempting to cause actual bodily harm.
Stalking.
Possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Sending threatening communications.
Criminal damage.
He admitted all of the charges except the imitation firearm offence, which he denied. That charge was left to lie on file by prosecutors.
Appearing for sentence at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 31 July, Wicks, of Braithwaite Drive, Colchester, was jailed for four years and six months.
He was also disqualified from driving for two years and six months.
Inspector Tom Stokes said:
“Our officers are trained to deal with some of the most challenging and high-risk situations policing can present.
“Every deployment requires calm judgement, clear decision-making and the ability to assess rapidly changing circumstances while keeping the public, colleagues and themselves safe.
“In this case, officers were tasked with locating and arresting a man linked to a series of serious offences, including dangerous driving which put members of the public at risk and a report involving what was believed to be a firearm.
“When information suggests there may be a weapon involved, we must plan carefully and act decisively.
“The professionalism shown by the officers involved meant they were able to safely enter the address, carry out a thorough search and locate Wicks despite efforts to conceal himself.
“Their actions ensured a high-harm offender was brought before the courts and held accountable for his actions.
“Much of the work carried out by armed officers happens out of the public eye, but it is built on extensive training, teamwork and a commitment to protecting communities across Essex.
“We will continue to target those who pose the greatest risk and ensure they are brought to justice."