Man who destroyed police cars with military truck in Norton Fitzwarren jailed

A man who drove a US military-style truck at police officers while trying to evade arrest has been jailed. Geoff Marshall, of Station Road, Norton Fitzwarren, struck several vehicles, including police cars, with his truck, threatened police officers with a chainsaw and caused hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage during the chase in Norton Fitzwarren in September. In actions which have been described as “reckless and dangerous”, Marshall rammed his 1958 M35 truck into police vehicles on a number of occasions, as well as colliding with other cars.

He also caused significant structural damage to a property on Station Road. Marshall admitted one count of assault by beating, 11 counts of criminal damage and one count of dangerous driving. He has been sentenced to two years in prison and has been disqualified from driving for two years.

Avon and Somerset Police were initially called to an address on Station Road in Norton Fitzwarren at 4.20pm on September 10 by a woman who feared for her safety. After officers arrived, Marshall, 41, tried to flee the scene in his truck, which he drove into police vehicles, before reversing into the property, causing significant structural damage. Police officers attempted to break the truck’s windows to remove Marshall from the vehicle.

He threatened them with a chainsaw, driving the two-ton vehicle through several police cars before colliding with five other unoccupied vehicles and a lamppost. Marshall then drove to an M5 overbridge where he climbed over the wrong side of the barrier and was arrested when officers talked him back over the right side. He was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court (sitting at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court) today (Friday, November 10).

Large military-style vehicle drives away after ramming into police roadblock on Station Road in Norton Fitzwarren (Image: somerset live)

Judge Edward Burgess described Marshall’s actions as ‘extremely reckless’, with a high chance to cause injury or death to officers.

He accepted Marshall was ‘deeply ashamed’ and ‘remorseful’. Detective Inspector Claire Millington said: “Through his actions Marshall caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage to police vehicles, private vehicles and property. Some of the vehicles he damaged have been completely written off while repairs need to be made to buildings, street furniture and the motorway bridge.

“His behaviour not only affected the ability for the police to respond to emergency calls on the day in question but caused significant disruption to his neighbours and those using the motorway, which was closed for a short time.”

Geoff Marshall has been sentenced to two years in prison and disqualified from driving for two years (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

She added: “Members of the public and police officers feared for their safety, and it is only through the efforts of officers that no-one was seriously injured. “I commend the bravery of my colleagues who attended on that day. Their selfless decisions to place themselves in harm’s way, and make repeated attempts to stop the vehicle saw them prioritise the public’s safety.

“Regardless of whether he intended to cause others harm or not, Marshall must now pay a significant price for his reckless and dangerous actions.”