Violent car thief mowed down police and public

A MAN who stole two cars and drove them into pedestrians and police during a three-day crime spree has been jailed for at least six years.

William O'Leary, 27, seriously injured Sgt Paul Morrison when he ploughed into him in the first stolen vehicle. Later, another officer was injured after being dragged along the road by the second car taken by O'Leary.

Described by police as "violent and dangerous", O'Leary, from West Hampstead, was found guilty of six counts of causing grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and robbery.

He was given an indeterminate sentence at Harrow crown court and told he will stay in jail until he can prove he is no longer a danger to the public.

The court heard that he ploughed into pedestrians in a stolen car after mounting the kerb in Church End, north-west London, in June last year, then drove off. CCTV later picked him out as he sat in the parked car in a nearby street, but when Sgt Morrison, 50, approached with another officer, O'Leary drove at them, knocking the sergeant down before speeding away.

O'Leary went on to rob a minicab driver of his keys and steal his vehicle. Posing as a taxi driver, he picked up a member of the public and drove them at dangerous speed through Kentish Town.

The passenger jumped out of the moving car as it slowed at traffic lights, but O'Leary stopped the vehicle and attacked his victim, stealing cash and other belongings.

Police arrived and tried to arrest O'Leary but he got back into the minicab and drove off, dragging one officer along the road and inflicting minor injuries. O'Leary was later arrested in Notting Hill after he was found drunk and under the influence of drugs, slumped at the wheel of the stolen minicab.

Det Sgt Jeff Hughes, from the Met's violent crime unit, said all the people injured by O'Leary had recovered fully, and added: "O'Leary is a violent, dangerous man who poses a significant threat to the public. The sentence he received should ensure that he remains in jail for many years to come."