A SUICIDAL woman forced a policeman to jump out of the way as he tried to approach her car in a lay-by near the Orwell Bridge, a court has heard.Police officers were keeping a look-out for 26-year-old Emily Wilson's Renault Clio after being tipped off that she depressed and in a suicidal state, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Jane Hunt

A SUICIDAL woman forced a policeman to jump out of the way as he tried to approach her car in a lay-by near the Orwell Bridge, a court has heard.

Police officers were keeping a look-out for 26-year-old Emily Wilson's Renault Clio after being tipped off that she depressed and in a suicidal state, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

When they saw her car on the A14 they followed it into a lay-by near the Orwell Bridge and an officer had approached to speak to Wilson, said Godfried Duah, prosecuting.

At that stage Wilson had reversed before driving back on to the carriageway causing the police officer to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by the vehicle.

As Wilson drove along the A14 at speeds of up to 80mph the police helicopter was asked to assist in the pursuit.

After a mile-and-a-half, at the Seven Hills Interchange, Wilson had turned on to the A12 and had come to a halt on the side of the road after hitting a metal barrier.

The same police officer had tried to approach Wilson's car but as he did so she drove off again at speed causing him to jump out of the way for a second time.

The five-mile chase came to an end after Wilson failed to brake at a roundabout and had ended up on the roundabout.

An ambulance was called but Wilson had discharged herself from hospital and had then been arrested by police and refused to provide a breath specimen.

Wilson, of Avocet Lane, Martlesham Heath admitted dangerous driving and failing to provide a breath specimen for analysis. She was given a six-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months, ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work in the community, banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 costs.

Maximillian Baines, for Wilson, said his client's intention when she drove to the Orwell Bridge in the early hours of January 6 was to kill herself.

“That was her continued intention when she drove off from the police - she wanted to drive her motor car into a brick wall,” said Mr Baines.

However, he said a couple of months on Wilson could see the danger her actions could have caused to other road users and to the police officers who pursued her.

Mr Baines said Wilson had become depressed after the breakdown of two relationships which had both involved elements of abuse.

Wilson had started drinking heavily last summer and had amassed several thousand pounds worth of debts.

Since then she had made efforts to turn her life around and had been taking anti-depressants, had sought help for her drink problem and had found herself a job. “Now her life is back on track she is confident she will never trouble the court again,” said Mr Baines.