THE police officer seriously injured after being run over after stopping a speeding driver in Thurrock has spoken about the incident and its consequences - describing them as a 'life sentence'.

Thurrock Nub News reported on last week's sentencing of the car driver Abiola Akilla, an oncology nurse from Chadwell St Mary.

Akilla was jailed for 30 months, though will only serve 15 in prison before being released on licence.

Basildon Crown Court heard PC Caroline Green has still not returned to front line duties as she continues her recovery.

The court was told that 'she drove away and never looked back.'

PC Green said: "Her front wheel went over my ankle, then she drove up my leg. I was in so much pain I thought she'd snapped my leg. I fell back and cracked my head on the concrete and she drove over my ribs and my right shoulder.

"I had a crushing feeling all over my body and was screaming in pain. She was so close to my head, and in between the first and second wheels going over me I managed to get into a foetal position. Then the back wheel went over my legs, pelvis and stomach."

PC Green, a single parent, suffered a flail chest injury with two broken ribs and three fractured ribs, abrasions and swelling to her right hand, a cut to the head and ligament damage to her right ankle.

She had problems with concussion for months afterwards and was later diagnosed with PTSD. She wasn't able to return to police work until December 2021, working from home rather than on the frontline.

Akilla was arrested and charged with GBH with intent, but it took 17 months for her to be sentenced, on March 30, 2022, by which point the charge had been reduced to serious injury by dangerous driving.

When Akilla received a 30-month sentence and a six-year driving ban, PC Green said she was relieved but said that the implications of the incident will last "forever".

She said: "Every day since that incident I've been on some form of recovery. The implications for her are short-lived, whereas for me they might be forever.

"I've been through 17 months of hell, mentally and physically, and continue to go through it – it's like a life sentence for me. I had sleepless nights, I was already having psychological issues with what had happened but then I started getting headaches every single day, thinking about having to go to court."

She added: "Career-wise I don't know where I fit now. I want to stay with the police, I don't want to be ill-health retired, as I'm only 14 years into my career. But I only ever wanted to work in uniform on the frontline and I can't do that anymore."

The Essex Police Federation has supported Caroline through the past year-and-a half.

She said: "I can't fault the Federation. Laura Heggie – Essex Police Federation Chair - visited me in hospital the day after it happened and helped me with claims, and she's been in contact throughout all this time. The Federation has also put me in contact with an anxiety coach, which really helped."

Ms Heggie said: "Having watched Caroline's body cam video and heard the harrowing screams, I cannot comprehend how any human being - let alone a nurse - could just drive off and leave someone injured in the road.

"I was happy to see the 30-month custodial sentence handed down by the judge but still feel that Akilla got off lightly."