Man jailed for dangerous driving and injuring police officer

A 40-year-old man from Eynsham, Oxfordshire, has been jailed after he was caught driving on the wrong side of the A419 dual carriageway and for injuring a police officer who he dragged along the road when he tried to escape.

Marlon Joao was jailed for 32 months at Salisbury Crown Court today (22 June 2022).

Police managed to stop Marlon Joao at the top of a slip road after he was seen driving along the A419 in Swindon on the wrong side of the dual carriageway on 26 April 2022.

After initially being cooperative, Joao became agitated and tried to drive off again, dragging a police officer along the road a short distance, causing injuries to her arm and foot.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and to inflicting grievous bodily harm at an earlier hearing.

Lucy Linington, CPS Wessex Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: “The manner of Marlon Joao’s driving put members of the public and police officers’ lives at risk.

“It was incredibly lucky that the police officer was not more seriously injured as a result of this incident.

“The CPS will continue to prosecute offenders who put members of the public and emergency workers at risk of harm, ensuring that justice is delivered.”