CCTV footage has captured the moment a dangerous motorist deliberately drove his car into a marked police vehicle in Peterborough, leaving two officers injured.
Incident details
Bilal Dawlatzai, 25, was driving a blue Vauxhall Astra when he collided with a patrol car on April 20. The crash occurred after traffic officers signalled for him to stop at the Herlington Centre in Orton Malborne. Both officers sustained neck, shoulder, and back injuries.
Police had received information suggesting Dawlatzai was a disqualified driver with a history of dangerous driving. Despite his attempt to flee, he was arrested. He also refused to take a roadside DrugWipe test.
Court appearance and sentencing
Appearing at Huntingdon Law Courts on June 3, Dawlatzai, of no fixed address, admitted charges including dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving while disqualified, criminal damage, two counts of assault of an emergency worker, and failing to provide a roadside drug test. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison and handed a 52-month driving ban.
Police comment
Detective Constable Joshua Crown from Cambridgeshire Constabulary praised the teamwork involved: “This was a great example of teamwork between officers and CCTV operators to locate and coordinate the stop on Dawlatzai. I would like to commend the officers who put themselves at risk to stop Dawlatzai – it may be seen as just doing their job, but no one should have to suffer injury in the workplace.”
