Second man charged over attempted murder of police officer injured in crash during speed check

CREDIT KENT POLICE
The collision happened on Coulter Road, Ashford, where officers had been carrying out speed checks. Credit: Kent Police

A second man has been charged in connection with the attempted murder of a police officer, hit by a car in Ashford.

19-year-old Ben Wilson, of Plurenden Road, High Halden, was charged on Saturday with assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice, and will appear at Medway Magistrates Court on Monday.

The male PC sustained “serious injuries” in the crash on Coulter Road, near the junction with Hedgers Way at 3.16pm on Friday, 26 January, and was taken to a local hospital.

The constable was on foot at the time, carrying out routine speed checks.

He has since been discharged to continue his recovery at home. The car allegedly failed to stop at the scene, according to Kent Police.

On Sunday, Feb 4, police made fresh appeals for anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.

Barry Rossiter, 23 of Nickley Wood in Ashford, appeared in court in Maidstone on Saturday, charged with attempted murder. 

Mr Rossiter was also charged with causing serious injury by driving a vehicle dangerously and assaulting an emergency worker. He was remanded in custody until a hearing at Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday, 6 February.

Four other people, two men aged 19 and 37, and two women aged 19 and 32, were also arrested in connection with the incident. They are all from the local area and have been bailed pending further enquiries. 

A sixth person, a 19-year-old man from Ashford, was arrested on Friday, 2 February, and remains in police custody.

Kent Police is continuing to appeal for witnesses and drivers with dash cam to come forward. 

They are specifically requesting to talk to drivers who have footage in Stanhope Road from its junction with Athol Road to its junction with Knoll Lane between 3.02pm and 3.15pm on Friday 26 January.

Officers are also keen to talk to motorists who were travelling on Coulter Road, Long Length, Tally Ho Road and Hornash Lane between 3pm and 3:30pm on the same date.

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