Fugitive conman 'feared for life'

A fugitive conman accused of injuring three police officers while trying to escape from them in his car claimed he feared for his life, a court has heard.

Rashpal Singh, 43, from West Bromwich, reversed and sped off near Heathrow Airport and Det Con Catherine Corbett was "catapulted", the Old Bailey heard.

Mr Singh told officers he did not know the people around his car were police.

He denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of actual bodily harm and dangerous driving.

Fractured skull

Mr Singh, from Gladstone Street, said during an interview with police: "I panicked. I thought it was either someone out to kill me or the police."

Asked again if he thought they were police, Mr Singh said: "That was only a slight consideration."

Alex Lewis, prosecuting, alleged Mr Singh had used his vehicle, a Peugeot 207, to avoid capture near Heathrow by officers from the West Midlands in November 2007.

Det Con Corbett had been leaning over to speak to Mr Singh's wife and was struck by the car's open passenger door.

Miss Lewis said two other officers had only minor injuries but Det Con Corbett was treated in hospital for a fractured skull and severe head injury.

Mr Singh, who had escaped from prison 11 months earlier, drove off but was recaptured later.

Memory loss

He had been jailed for six-and-a-half years in November 2005 in Birmingham for 13 offences of deception and for failing to surrender, Miss Lewis said.

He had also been given a further three years in jail if he failed to meet a £200,000 confiscation order, she told the court.

But in December 2006, he was allowed a day release from prison in Redditch, Worcestershire, but failed to return by 1400 GMT.

Det Con Corbett, 40, was left with memory loss and a speech impairment, the court heard.

The trial continues.

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