Jail for running over Pc

Patrick Clegg was originally charged with attempted murder

A man who fractured the skull of a policeman after running him over in a stolen car in Caernarfon last June has been jailed for 13 years.

Patrick Clegg, 35, formerly of Coventry, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking.

Pc Osian Wyn Davies was rushed to hospital when a car driven by Clegg careered into a police van through a road block on a narrow road at Coed Helen Caravan Park, near Caernarfon, in June.

It was Pc Davies' first day on duty in Caernarfon after joining the North Wales force nine months before.

Clegg was originally charged with attempted murder but the charge was later reduced to wounding with intent.

The Crown Prosecution Service reduced the charges after Clegg pleaded guilty to the other offences and also asked for 37 other offences to be taken into consideration.

Helicopter

These included robbery, burglary and offences of dishonesty.

The blue Renault Laguna Clegg drove was found abandoned and he was arrested by police after a search of the area which included the scrambling of the force helicopter.

Judge John Rogers QC commended Pc Davies for his bravery in trying to stop Clegg from escaping.

The judge said: "He did not flinch when he was faced with an extremely dangerous incident."

North Wales Police Chief Superintendent Gareth Pritchard said Clegg was "evil."

He said: "The sentence reflects the grave nature of the incident and particularly the serious injuries Pc Davies suffered."

Pc Davies returned to work only on Monday after being on sick leave.

The judge ordered that Clegg must also serve an additional 711 days for committing offences while on licence.