A Chessington man has been put behind bars after abandoning his car and attempting to flee when police caught him speeding “at 80mph in a 30mph zone”.

Edwin Masunda, 39 of Thrigby Road, has been sentenced to six months in prison and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Masunda appeared at Guildford Crown Court on October 19 and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, assaulting a police officer and criminal damage.

He failed to stop for an officer when he was caught speeding and abandoned his vehicle at approximately 4am on August 21, according to police.

Masunda was pursued in a foot chase and apprehended near Balfour Avenue in Woking, and an officer was taken to hospital with injuries to his forehead, arms and legs, and a concussion.

Woking neighbourhood inspector Andy Greaves said: “Masunda was driving extremely dangerously and had utter disregard for his passenger, who was understandably terrified by Masunda’s driving as he was driving in excess of 80mph in a 30mph zone.

“This was reflected in court as the original charge was upgraded from driving without care and attention to dangerous driving.

“I would again like to commend the bravery of our officers, it is not acceptable that their job is to protect the public and in doing so, they get assaulted.

Woking neighbourhood inspector Greaves added: “Thankfully, the officer who was injured during this incident was able to return to work for his next shift, but we will not tolerate this type of behaviour.

“During the pursuit, Masunda tried to climb a fence and used a broken panel against the officer which caused multiple injuries including grazing to the officer’s forehead, arms and legs, a cut lip, and concussion.”