'My life flashed before me': Suspicious Leeds driver dragged police officer along street
Officer feared he would be killed under the wheels
An officer feared he would be dragged under the wheels of a car and killed after he tried to intervene in what he thought was a drug deal taking place.
The special constable tried to snatch the keys from the ignition of the car driven by Ryan Dunwell, but he put his foot down and drove off with the officer still leaning through the window.
Dunwell admitted a charge of dangerous driving at Leeds Crown Court this week but was spared immediate custody, mainly because of the delay in prosecuting him.
The plainclothes officer had been on patrol in the city centre shortly before noon on May 22, 2024, when he saw two suspected drug users loitering around the Merrion Street and Wade Lane area.
Dunwell then pulled up alongside in a black Vauxhall Corsa and one of the men got into the car.
The special constable approached the driver-side window, announced who he was and tried to grab the keys from the ignition.
Dunwell then began screaming and pushing the officer out of the car before accelerating away.
The officer was dragged around five feet before being thrown heavily to the ground. Dunwell then drove off.
The officer later said his life “flashed before him”, fearing he would be killed under the wheels of the Corsa.
Dunwell, of Park Avenue, Roundhay, was only traced five months later in October 2024, when he gave a no-comment interview.
He has 34 previous convictions. He was jailed in 2012 for conspiracy to burgle and given 40 months’ jail in 2022 for dealing drugs.
Mitigating, Shannon Woodley said 40-year-old Dunwell “made a poor and panicked decision in a split second”.
She said he was in a serious quad bike crash two months ago which nearly killed. She said he has been left with mobility issues.
Judge Richard Mansell KC opted to jail him for 15 months, suspended for 18 months, saying the delay in prosecution was not of his making.
He was also given 15 rehabilitation days with probation, and a two-year driving ban. He must take an extended driving test to get his licence back.