Drug dealer who risked officer’s life as he fled from police is jailed

Veran Whiskey crashed into other vehicle as he tried to speed away from police

(Picture: Handout)

A drug dealer who put a police officer’s life at risk when he recklessly drove off in scenes similar to the death of Pc Andrew Harper has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Veran Whiskey, 39, crashed into other vehicles including a bus as he tried to speed away from police after being spotted dealing crack cocaine and heroin from his car in Holland Park.

Met officer Pc Arthur had got into the passenger seat to question Whiskey but was flung around the vehicle with the door open as the drug dealer tried to flee.

Isleworth crown court heard Pc Arthur was filled with the “overwhelming feeling he was going to die” during the terrifying incident on January 23 this year. Head and ankle injuries left him off work for six weeks as well as lingering flashbacks.

The court heard police feared a repeat of the death of Thames Valley Police officer Pc Andrew Harper who was dragged to his death in August 2019 when a group of thieves sped down a country lane, trying to evade capture.

Sentencing Whiskey to four-and-a-half years, Recorder Alan Blake warned him the incident “could have been so much worse”. “It came at a time when the tragic case of Pc Harper was in the news.

hat was in the mind of the officer and his colleagues as they watched events unfold,” he said. Officers spotted Whiskey’s car just after 4pm and attempted to carry out a search. Whiskey had drugs worth at least £6,000 in the vehicle, as well as £7,000 in cash, and was “hell-bent on getting away”.

Pc Arthur sat in the front passenger seat and Whiskey, in a panicked escape attempt, drove off with the unrestrained officer next to him and the door open.

“You gave no regard to that officer’s safety,” the judge said. Whiskey’s reckless driving “could easily have crushed the legs of the officer”. Whiskey was detained after crashing into a bus.

The court heard Whiskey slipped into debt from regular cocaine use and turned his hand to dealing in a bid to make extra money. The defendant, from Fulham, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two charges of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

He was banned from driving for the next five years and three months. He must pass an extended test to regain his licence.