A CANCER nurse will face a Crown Court trial following an incident in which a police officer was airlifted to hospital after sustaining serious injuries.

Horrific details of the incident which took place just outside Grays on Saturday (31 October) morning were recounted to Basildon magistrates today (Monday, 2 November) when Abiola Akilla, 45, of Godman Road, Chadwell St Mary, appeared on a video link charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, driving without insurance and driving otherwise in accordance with a licence.

Akilla, who was arrested at her home after Saturday's incident that led to the officer being airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, had spent two nights in a cell at Grays Police station, but she has now been released on conditional bail pending her trial at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, 30 November.

Prosecutor Lesley Chipps described in detail the events of Saturday's incident, which happened about at around 8am on the A1013.

She said the nature of the offences was so serious that the Crown Prosecution Service opposed bail.

The police officer, whose name has not yet been released by Essex Police, was manning a speed check on Stanford Road close to the turning for Gammonfields Way when the incident happened.

Mrs Chipps continued: "As we speak the officer is still in hospital and her injuries include five broken ribs, some of which have been shattered, and she had has leg and arm injuries and cuts and bruises very near to her head.

Mrs Chipps continued: "Because of the nature and gravity of this offence we oppose bail."

However, Akilla's solicitor told magistrates that it was vital that she be able to return home to look after her family of three children, two of whom are of school age. "She is horrified about what has happened but she is a single parent of three children and being in custody will be detrimental to their care," he said.

"She has not obstructed the investigation and she has never been in trouble. And as a nurse, given the weekend's announcement about coronavirus, she will be needed in even more. It is not accepted that evidence in this case is overwhelming and bearing in mind her good character and her occupation as a nurse she should be given bail."

After considering the matter, and saying "You are charged with very, very serious offences" magistrates elected to give her bail, on condition that she resides at her home in Chadwell St Mary and must report twice a week to Grays police station until her trial at Crown Court.