Gas mask-wearing driver made threats with gun
A DELUSIONAL motorist who led West Norfolk police on a high-speed car chase and attacked a woman with an air rifle was jailed for two years on Tuesday.
Tom Smith, who is 23 today, wore a gas mask, drove at pedestrians and ranted about terrorists during the chase on Friday, January 25, this year, Norwich Crown Court heard.
He was released by police that night and just the next day forced a woman, Alison Burton, out of her BMW by poking an air rifle through the window.
Smith then got into her car and accelerated it towards her. The court heard his victim, who had to run out of the way, was still suffering the effects of the ordeal, including panic attacks.
Police were first alerted to Smith when he was spotted driving a black Citroen erratically towards Swaffham on the A47.
Stephen Spence, prosecuting, said the car was veering from side to side, forcing other drivers to swerve out of its path.
A police officer was deployed to follow Smith, who was driving at around 80 to 90 mph, before more officers took up the chase at Little Fransham and tried to get the car to stop. Smith gestured to police officers and went round a roundabout the wrong way in an attempt to avoid a Stinger laid out to deflate his tyres.
His nearside tyres were hit, but he carried on towards Lynn and into Sporle Road, Swaffham, where a group of people had to jump out of his way.
The court was told he didn’t stop until her reached nearby Longfields and his front wheel hit the kerb.
He fought with police officers, “shouting and swearing” and told them: “We have to protect ourselves from terrorist attack.”
At the police station, Smith grabbed a civilian worker, Warren Rouse, by the neck and dragged him into his cell.
The next day he forced Alison Burton out of her car with an air rifle in Bridgham, near Thetford, telling her: “You don’t know what this can do to you. You’d better go into the river.”
An armed police unit and a police helicopter were deployed and Smith had to be subdued with a Taser electric shock device, before being taken to Thetford Police Station.
He admitted dangerous driving, common assault on Warren Rouse, and Alison Burton and possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear from violence.
The court heard Smith, of Trafalgar Street, Norwich, had previous convictions for affray, common assault and for using the telephone system to send false messages to cause anxiety.
Mr Ian James, defending, said Smith claimed he had been given some kind of hallucinatory drug by a third person.
Mr James said his client believed a bottle of water kept in his car had been spiked with the drug and he had begun to feel the effects two weeks before the events.
The court heard his claims could not be proved or ruled out, but a psychiatric report suggested his delusions were more likely caused by voluntary drug abuse.
Smith was jailed for two years for the firearms offence with two months concurrent for his assault on Alison Burton.
He was also jailed for nine months for dangerous driving and a further two months concurrently for his attack on Warren Rouse.
Smith was also banned from driving for 12 months and must take an extended driving test before he is allowed on the roads again.
Mr Justice Etherton told him: “You threatened Alison Burton and it must have been terrifying for her. She has been suffering sleepless nights, anxiety and panic attacks and has lost confidence in herself.”
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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