By Sarah McPhee
A 33-year-old learner driver has been charged after allegedly reversing an Audi into two policemen on Sydney’s lower north shore, dragging one officer along the road for several metres, and later choking the other during his arrest.
Acting Superintendent Traci Watt said police attempted to stop the silver sedan on Ryde Road, Gladesville, at about 8.30pm on Saturday due to the manner of driving and “excessive speed”.
Two police officers were injured after Sean Matthews allegedly reversed an Audi into them.Credit: TNV
Police said the pursuit was terminated a short time later “due to safety concerns”. The Audi was then seen stationary on Gladesville Road in Hunters Hill.
Watt alleged the driver, 33-year-old Sean Matthews, then reversed the Audi into the police vehicle, as well as two officers as they approached, before colliding with a black Toyota Kluger and a concrete pillar outside a unit complex.
Watt said, after the vehicle reversed, one of the officers was dragged for two to three metres as the Audi moved forward.
Matthews, from Eastwood, was arrested with the help of an off-duty police officer and a member of the public.
“Police will allege that, during the arrest of this male, he’s choked one of the police officers,” Watt said.
The two male officers, a 33-year-old constable and a 20-year-old probationary constable, were transported to hospital, each in a stable condition.
Watt said the younger officer who had been injured on the leg had since been discharged, while the older officer was being treated for abrasions and a neck injury.
“We, as police officers, are always aware of the inherent risk involved,” she said. “But I would like to point out that we really appreciate the member of the public that came forward and helped us. We’re very grateful.”
Matthews was taken to Gladesville police station, where he was charged with assaulting police in the execution of duty causing actual bodily harm, hindering or resisting police and intentionally choking a person with recklessness.
He was further charged with not stopping and driving dangerously during a police pursuit, being an unaccompanied learner driver and not displaying “L” plates correctly.
The case came before Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday. Matthews was refused bail and the matter will return to Burwood Local Court on Tuesday.
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