Driver sentenced after object smashed police car

A man has been sentenced after failing to stop when an item flew from the roof of his car and smashed a police vehicle's windscreen.

Officers had been responding to an emergency on the westbound A120 in Essex at about 13:30 GMT on 19 December when the item hit their car.

Glenn Lillie was travelling on the opposite carriageway when a "large unknown item" came off the roof of his white Audi and flew over the central barrier at such a speed that it shattered the windscreen and covered officers in glass.

The section of the carriageway near Little Canfield was closed while both the police car and debris were cleared.

The 34-year-old, from Braintree, said he did not stop as he "considered it unsafe to do so".

He pleaded guilty at Colchester Magistrates' Court on 6 August to three counts related to danger of causing injury, as well as two counts of failing to stop or report the incident.

On 22 October, he was disqualified from driving for six months and given a 12-month community order including 140 hours of work.

He was ordered to pay £244 in costs and a surcharge.

PC Simon Bailey said the consequences could have been "devastating" if not for the "skill, professionalism and composure of the officer behind the wheel" to come to a controlled stop.

"Every driver has a responsibility to make sure anything they carry is properly secured before starting a journey," he said.

"This incident is a stark demonstration of how dangerous an insecure load can become."

Bailey added that their investigation involved "painstakingly" piecing together evidence, including the leftover debris and camera footage.

Caitlin Taylor, road safety manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, stressed that load security is a simple but vital part of road safety.

She said: "Unsecured loads can cause serious incidents, putting other road users at risk of injury or even death. To keep themselves and others safe, drivers should always ensure loads are properly secured before every journey and check them regularly during transit.

"Taking a few minutes to use suitable restraints such as straps, nets or covers can prevent debris from falling onto the road, and helps protect everyone using the road network."

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