Female police officer thrown from car by armed robber in Sussex
This shocking CCTV footage shows how the armed robbery of a Esso petrol station escalated when the criminal spotted a police car had arrived.
Rather than fleeing Owen Smith, 29, ran towards to the patrol car before dragging PC Ellie Young out of the vehicle, throwing her to the ground and starting to attack her.
Smith, 29, then tried to escape from the scene in Redkiln Way, Horsham, Sussex, using the car but was Tasered after a struggle.
Despite being injured, CCTV shows PC Young tackling him with PC Vicky Canales and a member of the public.
Smith, of no fixed address, was jailed for 14 years at Hove Crown Court after admitting assault by beating of a police officer, possessing a baseball bat as an offensive weapon, robbery, taking a police vehicle without consent and driving while disqualified.
PC Young had been on a routine patrol and happened to stop at the garage while the raid was going on.
Staff at the Tesco Express store in the petrol forecourt had reported two balaclava-clad men with weapons stealing cash, cigarettes and alcohol.
PC Young was left with arm, leg, shoulder and neck injuries and Smith was Tasered and arrested when back-up arrived.
Det Ch Insp Justina Beeken said: "Watching the CCTV of Owen Smith attacking our officers is absolutely harrowing, not least due to the ferocity of the attack.
"I commend the officers' bravery and commitment that evening in arresting him."
The second suspect is still being sought by police.
