Worcester Park man jailed after terrifying police chase

5:09pm Monday 15th September 2008

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A Worcester Park man who wrote off two police cars, injured an officer and smashed through a fence at Epsom Racecourse after taking police on a terrifying 40 minute chase has been jailed.

Joseph Pullen, 43, of Buckland Way, tore through Tolworth, Ewell and Epsom during the chase on May 31 this year, deliberately ramming police cars with his 4x4 and driving at oncoming traffic.

A statement from a traffic officer of 16 years’ experience, read out at Kingston Crown Court today, said he had never seen anyone “so intent on causing damage”.

The drama began after Pullen went to the home of his girlfriend, Zareta Holechova in Manor Drive North.

She was a nanny and had just returned from a trip away with her employers which had caused Pullen to become “jealous and angry”.

After pushing his way into her house, snatching her mobile phone and slapping her on the cheek, Pullen drove off in his green Landrover Freelander.

Miss Holechova gave chase on her bicycle and the court heard Pullen deliberately tried to mow her down.

After escaping, Miss Holechova called police and an officer was sent to Pullen’s address, where he spotted the Freelander.

The officer, PC Pike, saw the Freelander leave and, worried he would return to his girlfriend’s house, headed to Manor Drive South.

PC Pike radioed for assistance and officers pulled Pullen over in Tolworth Rise South, where he refused to get out of the car.

Prosecuting, Deanna Heer said both officers were forced to “dive for safety” when Pullen reversed at speed into their patrol car, causing the front of the vehicle to be “concertinaed”.

Pullen then shouted to officers: “Come on if you want to make something of it.”

He sped off towards Tolworth roundabout, where he rammed into the side of another police car which had been summoned to help.

An officer in that car sustained minor arm injuries.

The court was shown a shocking video of Pullen’s chase as captured by a police helicopter.

Pullen is seen driving along Kingston Road repeatedly trying to ram police officers.

Ms Heer said: “The defendant drove with complete disregard for the speed limit, traffic lights and other road users.”

The chase continued at top speeds of 80mph through residential streets in Epsom and Ewell and reached a head when Pullen smashed through a fence at Epsom Downs Racecourse, switched off his lights and circled around police cars trying to ram them.

One officer described the chase as “terrifying” and said they missed being hit by Pullen “with inches to spare”.

Pullen was eventually stopped by police and attempted to escape on foot before he was arrested in Langley Vale Road.

The court heard Pullen has 16 previous convictions, including one for criminal damage in 1996 where he went “totally berserk”, broke into the house of his ex-girlfriend and vandalised the entire property.

Pullen was given a five year sentence for the public protection and banned from driving for five years.

His Honour John Samuels QC said the “protracted chase” was deplorable.

He said: “You deliberately tried to ram the police vehicles following you time and time and time again.

“You clearly have an anger management problem and when you are frustrated you lose all self control.

“You have shown the lengths to which you have the propensity to go to when you lose self control.”