A man accused of attempted murder ‘deliberately held a police officer’s arm before dragging her down the road as he drove off’, a court heard.
Father-of-two Marlon Kambulu Joao, 39, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court charged with various offences following an incident in Swindon yesterday morning (26 April).
The defendant, of Merton Court, Eynsham, Oxfordshire, did not enter pleas to attempted murder, dangerous driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.
Kate Prince, prosecuting, said that PC Joanna Halewood – who joined Wiltshire Police in 2020 – and PC Terret were called to reports of a Vauxhall Insignia driving the wrong way down a one-way road.
They located the vehicle, being driven by Joao, and stopped it. It’s alleged that at some point during the traffic stop, he refused to exit the vehicle and began revving his engine.
Concerned he was going to flee, PC Halewood reached into the car to grab his keys. It is alleged that Joao – whilst the car door was open – proceeded to grab her wrist and hold on to her as he drove off.
The officer was dragged a short distance before she was rushed to hospital for her injuries. Ms Prince said PC Halewood suffered a broken arm and is using crutches whilst doctors investigate a leg injury.
Backup was sent to the scene, and a pursuit was initiated. Joao is alleged to have driven at up to 110mph on the A419 and travelled the wrong way around a roundabout in a bid to flee officers – who are claimed to have narrowly missed head-on collisions with the driver.
The pursuit came to an end when the defendant found himself on a dead-end road on an industrial estate, where he was arrested and taken into custody.
Defence solicitor Stephen Collins, appearing as an agent for Verdee Solicitors, made a bail application. Ms Prince, for the Crown, asked for the defendant to be remanded in custody.
Magistrates remanded him in custody until a plea and trial preparation hearing at Bristol Crown Court on 27 May.
