PHIPPS:MOTORIST MOWED DOWN COP THEN REVERSED OVER HIM IN CAR HORN ROW

An off-duty policeman screamed: ‘Don’t let him kill me’ after a motorist mowed him down and got ready to reverse over him, a court heard.

Nathan Phipps, 22, ran over Detective Inspector Peter Howarth just yards from his front door after the officer told him to stop sounding his horn at 6am.
 
Mr Howarth, 53, asked Phipps to wind down his side window but fearing the driver was reaching for a weapon, smashed the glass and pulled him from the vehicle, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Caroline Carderry said they spoke briefly before Phipps got back in as if to drive off.

But Phipps aimed the car at the pavement, floored the accelerator and careered straight into Mr Howarth, jurors heard.

He then allegedly reversed over the stricken detective after he collapsed in a driveway in Overton Drive, Wanstead, east London, on November 21 last year.

Mr Howarth suffered a double fracture to his leg and underwent emergency plastic surgery.

The keen marathon runner needed to have a metal plate inserted in an attempt to repair the damage.

He also suffered bruising to his arms as well as grazing to his arms, back and neck.
 
Witness John Woolnough said he had been woken by the car horn and had gone to investigate along with Mr Howarth.

He told the court after the car horn row he believed Phipps was going to drive away but he noticed the car was pointing towards the pavement.

He said: ‘The car reversed, slightly at an angle.

‘At that point I have to say I was scared for myself.

‘The lights on the car came on.

‘I was very aware that the car was angled directly at us.

‘I felt very vulnerable.

‘The three of us were illuminated by the full beam.

‘Then, he put his foot down and drove towards us and hit Peter.

‘I jumped in between two parked cars because I was frightened.

‘I heard a very dull thud and a piercing scream.

‘I could not tell you what he was saying, but you could just tell that he was in trouble.

‘After he had hit Peter he reversed out.

‘Peter was screaming at this point.’

Just seconds later Phipps turned the car around and reversed at speed towards a driveway where Mr Howarth had collapsed.

He said: ‘He floored it.

‘It was fast and I knew what was coming.

‘He reversed up into the driveway.

‘Peter at this point was still screaming.

‘I did not hear any more impact that I am aware of, just screaming.’

Timothy Downes, who watched the incident from a first-floor bedroom in the street, told the court he heard Mr Howarth shout out as the car reversed towards him.

He said: ‘As the car went back I heard him shout ‘Don’t let him kill me’.’

Mr Downes told the jury Phipps then sped off towards St Mary’s Avenue.

The court heard Phipps was arrested on November 23, after he attended the police station with a solicitor.

It was said Phipps had been sounding his horn to attract the attention of his girlfriend, who had been staying at an address in Overton Drive.

In interview he said he did not realise he had hit a person and thought he had struck a wall.

He claimed Mr Howarth had not identified himself as a police officer and had not warned him he would break the window if he did not wind it down.

Phipps, of (90) Stokes Road, Forest Gate, east London, denies wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving.

The trial continues.
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