A police officer was left so breathless after chasing a suspect through gardens and over fences that he famously told the crook: "Bloody hell, you can run!" after finally reading him his rights.
The Exhausting Pursuit
The incident began on January 12 in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Officers were on the lookout for a Fiat Panda reported stolen from Southchurch Avenue. Just 20 minutes later, patrol cars located the vehicle and successfully boxed it in. However, the suspect, Ashley Choat, 36, of Southend-on-Sea, leapt from the car and made a desperate run for it.
PC Matt Sandford, from the Essex Police Southend Local Policing Team, immediately gave chase. His body-worn camera captured the entire pursuit as he followed Choat up the road and through the back gardens of houses on a nearby street. The suspect hopped over fences in a bid to escape.
'You're Under Arrest'
After a sustained sprint, Choat eventually ran out of steam and collapsed onto his back in a garden, surrendering. PC Sandford caught up, gasping for air as he struggled to deliver the formal caution. The footage shows the officer saying: "Alright, mate? Firstly, you're under arrest for theft of a motor vehicle. You don't have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."
He then added, panting heavily: "Secondly - bloody hell you can run."
Court Outcome and Officer's Reflection
Reflecting on the chase, PC Sandford later remarked on the physical challenge. "It's all part of the job," he said. "I was at a disadvantage as he had a big head start and our kit weighs several kilos, which does slow you down a fraction - but I wasn't going to let him get away."
At Southend-on-Sea Magistrates' Court last week, Ashley Choat admitted to:
- Taking a motor vehicle without consent.
- Driving without a valid licence.
- Driving without insurance.
He was handed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
