A POLICE officer suffered a broken arm after she was dragged along a Swindon dual-carriageway by an Oxfordshire father-of-two, a court has been told.

Marlon Kambulu Joao - now facing an attempted murder charge - had just been pulled over by PC Halewood and her partner for allegedly driving the wrong way down the A419 near the White Hart roundabout in the early hours of Tuesday morning (April 26) when he tried to flee.

READ MORE: Jury out in Barton 'murder' trial

Outlining the facts of the case at Swindon Magistrates’ Court, prosecutor Kate Prince said PC Halewood had leaned into the vehicle to try to take the keys out of the ignition of the 2011-plate Vauxhall Insignia, after he had been revving his engine at the police officers.

But as she reached in, it is alleged that Joao sped off, holding onto the police officer’s wrist.

She was said to be “screaming” and asking him to stop. In the end, her partner managed to free her after she was dragged a short distance.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire man charged with attempted murder

She was rushed to Great Western Hospital where it was revealed she had broken a bone in her arm and has been told to use crutches while doctors investigate a leg injury.

Her injuries are not life-threatening.

Oxford Mail: PC Halewood previously made the news after making a drugs arrest on her first day on patrol in March 2020. Photo: Wiltshire Police.PC Halewood previously made the news after making a drugs arrest on her first day on patrol in March 2020. Photo: Wiltshire Police.

In the chase that followed, it has been alleged that Joao, of Merton Court, Eynsham, reached speeds of up to 110 miles per hour in his 2011-plate Vauxhall Insignia, as well as going the wrong way around a roundabout, driving through cones and forcing other officers to take avoiding action.

He was also clocked at 80mph on Marlborough Road. The chase came to an end after he drove into a dead-end on an industrial estate.

Joao has been charged with attempted murder, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

Oxford Mail: The incident happened close to White Hart roundabout.The incident happened close to White Hart roundabout. (Image: Newsquest)

Appearing on behalf of the 39-year-old, Stephen Collins said that the defendant “does not seek to hide from the seriousness of [the charges]”.

Magistrates decided to remand him in custody, pending his next court hearing.

Joao, appearing in the dock flanked by one security guard whilst wearing a white polo shirt and a navy blue Calvin Klein hoodie, shook his head as Deborah Couzens, chairman of the bench, told him he would be remanded in custody.

The case will next be heard at Bristol Crown Court on May 27 at 10am, where Joao, a househusband who sometimes works as a labourer, is expected to formally enter a plea.

A charge of failing to provide a specimen for analysis was withdrawn by Ms Prince.

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