In a shocking incident that unfolded on the streets of Southampton, Marvin Geddes, 33, has been sentenced to four years in prison for a shocking display of reckless driving that endangered the lives of a police officer and a civilian. The verdict was delivered at Southampton Crown Court on January 10.
The court was presented with evidence of a dramatic pursuit that took place on July 2, 2024, when officers attempted to stop a Honda Civic bearing suspected cloned plates on Wimpson Lane, Southampton, at around 9:20 PM. The ensuing chase saw Geddes maneuver the vehicle in a highly dangerous manner, including driving the wrong way around a roundabout, on the wrong side of the road, and through a red light.
PC Derek Hearn, a dedicated member of the Roads Policing team, was in pursuit on his motorcycle when Geddes rammed into him on Lords Hill Centre East. Dashcam footage revealed the harrowing moment the Honda struck PC Hearn at high speed, sending shockwaves through the courtroom.
The ordeal did not end there. Geddes fled the scene, speeding towards Lords Hill Centre West, where he collided with a Peugeot 108. Abandoning the Honda, which was later confirmed stolen from Roberts Road in March 2023, Geddes attempted to escape on foot.
Geddes, who had previously pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to cause actual bodily harm, dangerous driving, driving without a license, and driving without insurance, received a 48-month sentence for his actions.
Reflecting on the incident, PC Hearn expressed gratitude for his survival: “I feel lucky that I haven’t lost a limb or even my life from this incident. As a police officer, I pride myself on doing my job to the best of my ability to safeguard the public. I do not accept that my life should be put in danger because of that.”
Superintendent Mark Lewis emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “This is a stark reminder of the dangers our officers sometimes face while simply doing their jobs. I was absolutely appalled when I saw the footage of this incident. No police officer should ever have to deal with such extreme violence towards them. The fact PC Hearn and the driver of the Peugeot were not seriously injured is extremely lucky, considering the severe level of complete disregard Geddes showed to them.”
The court’s decision serves as a sobering reminder of the perils faced by law enforcement officers and the responsibilities of drivers to uphold the safety of all road users.
