A man has admitted ploughing into two Brent police officers in a sports car, leaving one critically injured.

PC Christopher Appleton and PC Samantha Clark were both seriously injured after Mohammed Shaikh, 48, drove into them in his white Maserati on December 17.

Shisq appeared at Harrow Crown Court today (Jan 16) and pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and one count of failing to provide a specimen of breath.

Commander David Musker said: “This horrific incident is a reminder of the dangers that police officers face. We are really grateful to everyone from the London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and medical staff who rushed to our officers’ aid.

“Having to deal with the horrific injuries caused by road traffic collisions is something our officers do on a relatively often basis; but to do so knowing that the people you are rushing to help our members of your own team is really difficult.”

The court heard that at 3.40am PC Appleton and PC Clark were carrying out an area search to trace a suspect who got out of a car to the north side of the A406.

Both officers were on a footpath on the same side of the North Circular Road when a white Maserati, driven by Shaikh and travelling eastbound towards Brent Cross, came around the left hand bend and lost control.

The vehicle mounted the pavement and collided with another vehicle causing PC Appleton to be knocked clear while PC Clark was trapped beneath the car.

With help from the London Fire Brigade, police officers removed PC Clark from beneath the car before both officers were taken to hospital.

Shaikh of Amberden Avenue, East Finchley , was arrested at the scene and taken to a north London police station where he was charged the following day.

Both of the officers were critically injured but have since improved. PC Clark continues to recover at home while PC Appleton is receiving treatment at a hospital nearer to his home.

Commander Musker added: “We wish them the very best in their continued recovery.”

Shaikh remains in custody and is due to be sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on February 22.

In an earlier version of this article it was stated that Mohammed’s surname was Shisq, he was 51 years old and he lived at Gorseway, Hatfield, in Hertfordshire.

Scotland Yard has since told us that Mohammed Shaikh “provided police with false details at the time of his arrest.”

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