On Wednesday, 1 February, Joseph Ward, 24, of Green Street, Royston, Hertfordshire, was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court.

He had previously pleaded guilty to 14 counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, impersonating a police officer, reckless driving, and failing to stop for police.

On July 1, 2022, Violent Crime Taskforce Inspector Tony McGovern was on a motorcycle patrol in Haringey when he noticed a car driven by Ward at the intersection of Upton Road and Woolmer Road.

Insp McGovern was suspicious of the driver’s actions. After the car came to a stop, he spoke with Ward through the driver’s side window. Ward then abruptly pulled forward and immediately reversed, ramming into Insp McGovern before speeding away.

Insp McGovern requested immediate assistance from other officers and was transported to the hospital with injuries to his legs, shoulders, and back.

“I have been a police officer for 18 years and I never expected to be deliberately rammed off my motorcycle in such a violent and aggressive act,” said Inspector Tony McGovern.

I am still recovering from the injuries I sustained that day, but I am determined to serve the people of London by removing violent and dangerous offenders from the streets.

Ward was identified as the driver after an urgent investigation was launched. Officers discovered he was already wanted for an offence on Eade Road, N4 on June 23, 2022, when he pretended to be a police officer and demanded money from another driver.

Ward was apprehended on July 20, 2022, in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, after a lengthy manhunt.

Investigators later linked him to two other offences, including a collision in Crouch Hill on July 5, 2022, and a failure to stop for police on Goat Lane in Enfield on July 6, 2022, which damaged two police cars.

Ward was charged with 14 separate offences on July 21, 2022, as a result of the overwhelming evidence gathered by investigators and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Joseph Ward is a dangerous man, and I have no doubt that he would have gone on to commit more offences,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Lee Hill, who leads the Violent Crime Taskforce. I am relieved that he has received a prison sentence, and I commend Tony for his exceptional bravery.

Our officers work tirelessly to keep the public safe from violent crime, and we will never tolerate any form of assault on emergency personnel whose job it is to keep the public safe.