A WOMAN from Chadwell St Mary has been charged and is being held behind bars following an incident where a female police officer was struck by a car.

Shortly before 8am yesterday (Saturday, 31 October) the for e control room was alerted to reports that the officer had sustained serious injuries after a car collided with her.

The officer was manning a speed check on the A1013 just outside Grays. It was reported that the driver had pulled into a layby after being requested to stop by the officer, however reversed back onto the main road again after not complying with further instruction from the officer.

As the officer tried to persuade the driver to move back into the layby, the car was said to collide with the officer before driving off.

The officer was taken to hospital by air ambulance where she is being treated for serious but non-life changing or life-threatening injuries.

Abiola Akilla, 45, of Godman Road, has been 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.

She is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates' Court on Monday, 2 November and has been remanded in custody.

A 22-year-old man from Grays was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice but will face no further police action.