Police officer ‘punched in throat by Range Rover driver who fled crash scene’

A policewoman was punched in the throat by a man who sped off from the scene of a car crash in a Range Rover, West Midlands Police said.

Officers had been called to Robert Street, Lower Gornal, just before 5.30am on New Year’s Day after reports of a Ford Ranger crashing into a wall.

A man was spotted walking away from the scene when police arrived – before hitting the officer.

A spokesman said: ‘An officer was punched in the throat as she tried to stop the man from getting into a nearby Range Rover driven by a second person.

‘The Range Rover made off, but officers including traffic and drones units worked quickly and found two suspects in the Swindon area of South Staffordshire.’

A 46 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and drink-driving.

A woman aged 48 was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The officer was not seriously injured, the force added, and the Range Rover in question has also been recovered.

Earlier today, a man was charged with murder after a car hit pedestrians in north-west London.

Shakaine Dwyer, 29, is accused of killing Ruben Nunes, 34, from Peterborough, the Metropolitan Police said on New Year’s Eve.

Dwyer, of Willesden, was originally charged with causing death by dangerous driving on December 7 and this was upgraded to murder on Monday.

Gregory Ejiofor, 31, of Milton Keynes, has appeared in court in relation to the incident.

He was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Police were called to reports of a collision between a car and pedestrians at Chapel Close, Willesden, at 12.44pm on December 3.

Mr Nunes died at the scene and his family are being supported by specialist officers.

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