Bolton: Teen reversed car with doors open at police officer

Rio Gregory, 18, had been driving a Ford Focus on October 12 with three other young men when they were noticed by officers on patrol after inhaling from balloons.

But after being forced to stop, Gregory reversed the car towards one of the officers with its doors open, injuring his finger and hitting a police car before speeding away.

Reading out a statement from the officer, prosecutor Geoff Whelan said: “When I saw the car coming, I honestly thought I was going to be seriously injured.”

He added: “It was a miracle that I and my colleagues were not more seriously injured.”

The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Whelan told the court how after driving away from the injured officer the Ford Focus was eventually found abandoned by police in Breightmet.

The balloons the young men had been inhaling from turned out to contain nitrous oxide.

On checking the registration plate, they discovered that it had been stolen in a burglary in Leyland.

Gregory, of Thicketfold Brow, Bolton, then arrived in a taxi and ran off without paying the fare but was arrested soon after.

He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm for the injury to the police officer, aggravated vehicle taking and to avoiding paying the taxi fare.

Kevin Friend, defending, argued that Gregory deserved credit for having pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and told the court that this showed a ‘candid and straightforward admission of his wrongdoing.’

Mr Friend said that Gregory had shown ‘genuine and sincere remorse’ since then and had been working positively with the youth offending team.

He added that the young defendant’s attitude had improved significantly over recent weeks and months.

Addressing the judge, Mr Friend said: “Your Honour may think that the green shoots of recovery are evident.”

Judge Tom Gilbart accepted Gregory’s immaturity but reminded him of the injury done to the police officer and the seriousness of his actions.

He said: “He described the fear that he doubtless felt as the car drove towards him.”

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But Judge Gilbart also accepted Gregory’s ‘growing maturity’ and his ‘sincere remorse’ for his actions as well as noting his positive attitude towards work.

He gave Gregory a 10 month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities.

Judge Gilbart also made him subject to a three month curfew between 8pm and 7am and banned him from the roads for two years.