Constable left police force after breaking wrist in Glenorchy

A police officer has now left the force after suffering a traumatic injury in Glenorchy during a terrifying confrontation where a woman was also injured. READ THE COURT DECISION HERE >>

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A HAPLESS criminal with a wounded leg who hobbled away from police on a crutch managed to inflict a catalogue of injuries against his former lover and an officer who has since left the force.

In December 2018, a warrant had been issued to arrest Christopher Vernon Clark, 36, for breaching bail when police spotted him at Windsor Street, Glenorchy.

But as the Supreme Court of Tasmania heard, Clark “hobbled quickly” to his vehicle when officers in tactical vests alighted an unmarked car.

He discarded his single crutch and locked his driver’s door – but his girlfriend was already on her way out of the passenger side door.

“Regardless of that the defendant reversed at speed, catching her with the door and trapping her under the car,” Justice Stephen Estcourt said.

But the drama didn’t end there.

Clark stopped the car and drove forward, but a constable smashed his windscreen with his police baton before reaching across the passenger side to engage the handbrake.

A Tasmania Police Officer has left the force after a being injured by a fleeing driver in late 2018 Picture: MATT THOMPSON

But Clark again reversed at speed, ejecting the policeman and dragging him by the wrist.

The criminal then sped away and escaped, with his girlfriend’s children still sitting in his back seat. He was found and arrested a few days later.

Justice Estcourt said Clark’s now former girlfriend suffered minor injuries, but noted she could have been seriously injured or killed.

The judge said the police officer, who had left the force as a result of the incident, had sustained a broken wrist requiring corrective surgery with the insertion of a plate and fractures to his shin and calf bones.

Clark, who has a “poor record” with prior convictions for assault, robbery and drug offences, as well as more than 100 convictions for breaching family violence orders, was found guilty by a jury of assault and causing grievous bodily harm.

He was jailed for three years with the last nine months suspended, and will be eligible for parole after serving 13 ½ months.

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