Jake Cartwright jailed for driving suspected stolen car at police officer during arrest

A face-tattooed father is behind bars after he drove at a police officer in a suspected stolen car, leaving him suffering from panic attacks.

A father left a police officer fearful for his safety and suffering from panic attacks after he drove at him in an effort to evade arrest.

Jake Cartwright, 27, was jailed and disqualified from driving for several years after he “panicked” when confronted by police.

During sentencing, the District Court heard police were informed by a member of the public that a suspected stolen car was parked in a carpark of a block of units at Elizabeth on October 8, 2022.

Senior Constable Allan, Detective Brevet Sergeant Plumb and other police officers attended the car park.

When police arrived Cartwright and another man ran and got into the black Mazda.

Jake Cartwright was jailed for engaging in an act likely to cause harm. Photo: Facebook

Constable Allan and other police officers positioned their vehicles around the Mazda in an attempt to prevent Cartwright from leaving.

The court heard Constable Allan approached the driver’s door and shouted “Police stop” before trying to open the driver’s door which was locked.

Cartwright then turned on the engine and began to reverse the car.

“You then accelerated the black Mazda forward at speed causing the front wheels to lose traction and spin,” Judge Nick Alexandrides said.

The car turned in the direction of Constable Allan, with him moving out of the way as it was driven towards him.

Constable Allan continued to shout out but Cartwright kept driving towards the car park exit manoeuvring past the police cars.

“You said that your reason for running, as you put it, was because every time you had been arrested you had been bashed and because police bashed your car windows with a bat,” Judge Alexandrides said.

He was also disqualified from driving for five years. Photo: Facebook

Cartwright, of Ridgehaven, pleaded guilty to engaging in an act likely to cause harm.

Constable Allan said he now feels frustrated and fearful about his safety while in the job he loves and suffers from anxiety and panic attacks.

“He is aware of other police officers who have been seriously injured or killed in similar circumstances and believed that if he did not move out of the way he could have suffered the same fate,” Judge Alexandrides said.

The court heard Cartwright had previously been jailed for robbery and driving dangerously to escape police pursuit.

The court heard Cartwright, a father-of-two, started using drugs at the age of 12, including at the time of the offending.

“Your goal upon release I am told is to remain abstinent, to reconcile with the mother of your children in order to connect as a father to your children,” Judge Alexandrides said.

The court heard Cartwright “panicked” when confronted by police but was now regretful for his offending and the impact it caused.

Judge Alexandrides said police officers needed to be protected.

“Offences which place police officers at risk of harm while in the course of their duty will not be tolerated and will attract condign punishment, that is, punishment that fits the crime appropriately,” he said.

Judge Alexandrides sentenced Cartwright to one year and 10 months jail, with a non-parole period of 12 months.

The sentence was backdated to December 1, 2022.

Cartwright was also disqualified from driving for five years.