Reckless Southampton driver who hit police officer jailed

Southampton Crown Court heard Marvin Geddes, 33, did not slow down when he approached police motorcyclist PC Derek Hearn.

The impact of the crash threw PC Hearn off his bike, and he suffered severe pain and swelling to his right leg.

Geddes – who was banned from driving and behind the wheel of a stolen car at the time of the offence - left the officer on the ground and continued on until he hit a Peugeot, forcing the car off the road.

Marvin Geddes teared through red lights before ploughing into a police officer in Southampton (Image: Hampshire Constabulary) Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, has branded the incident as “unacceptable”.

Prosecuting, Laura Duff told Southampton Crown Court how Geddes caused “significant damage” because of his actions.

She said the incident on July 2 last year unfolded after Geddes realised he was being tailed by PC Hearn on Wimpson Lane, who suspected the vehicle’s number plate was cloned.

A police chase ensued, and Geddes was seen driving at 50mph in 20mph and 30mph zones, before driving through red lights and ignoring junctions.

“The defendant then went the wrong way around a roundabout and drove head-on into traffic”, Ms Duff said.

The pursuit was called off by police officers because of the dangers posed, but this message was not received by PC Hearn.

Ms Duff said: “PC Hearn was on Lordshill Centre East when he became aware of the Honda Civic, driven by the defendant, travelling towards him.

“He described this part of the road as a ‘pinch point’ and moved over to the left-hand side and slowed to a stop.

“The vehicle did not return to the correct side of the road and instead hit PC Hearn on his bike.”

The court heard how Geddes then ploughed into a Peugeot on Lordshill Centre West, with the female driver left “very distressed” as her car filled with smoke.

Geddes scrambled from his vehicle, tried twice to climb over some bushes before fleeing the scene.

He was arrested one week later, and the Honda was confirmed to have been stolen from a property in Roberts Road in March 2023.

Mitigating, Aleks Lloyd said his client is “making great strides while in prison” and added that Geddes did not intend to hit PC Hearn, and that the incident occurred because of a “flat tyre”.

Geddes, of Epping Close, Southampton, pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving, and one count of count of attempting to cause actual bodily harm.

He also admitted driving a vehicle without insurance and without a licence.

Passing sentence, Recorder Richard Tutt handed him a four-year prison sentence.

He was also banned from driving for 32 months.

Speaking after the sentencing, PCC Donna Jones said: “Police officers sacrifice their own safety to fight crime and to protect the public every day.

“The challenges they face are significant. It is unacceptable for any police officer or public servant to be subjected to any type of violence or intimidation in the course of their duties.

“Officers work hard to feel valued and supported by the communities they are working to protect. Those found to be endangering the lives of officers should feel the force of the law.”