Rampage in Sainsbury’s Car Park Ends with Officer Hospitalised and Driver Jailed
Speeding Attack Rocks Exeter Supermarket
Damien Price, 30, of Russet Avenue, Exeter, unleashed chaos in a Sainsbury’s car park in Pinhoe after a furious row over a one-way system. The trouble started when he spotted a Nissan driving the wrong way and shouted abuse at the couple inside.
Refusing to budge, Price escalated the drama by reversing at speed into the couple’s car, knocking the husband and wife to the ground, leaving them bruised and cut. Things went from bad to worse as he punched the man through the driver’s window, then sped off in his Ford Fiesta.
Cop Run Down in Shocking Hit-and-Run
As Price tried to flee, Sergeant Alex Howden, the closest officer, arrived on the scene. When Sgt Howden demanded the keys, Price floored it, ploughing through a shopping trolley and hitting the officer dead-on. Sgt Howden was sent flying into the air, suffering a broken leg, head injury, and severe bruising — injuries expected to take over a year to heal.
Dashcam footage released by Devon and Cornwall Police reveals the terrifying moment of impact, highlighting the real dangers officers face daily.
Arrest After Public Tackles Violent Offender
Members of the public sprang into action, dragging Price from his car and holding him until police arrived to make the arrest on March 12. During his detention, Price bit PC Nicholas Weston twice on the arm, adding further violence to his spree.
Justice Served: Six-and-a-Half Years Behind Bars
Price pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of dangerous driving, grievous bodily harm to Sgt Howden, actual bodily harm to the man, attempted bodily harm to the woman, and assaulting police.
Judge Timothy Rose jailed Price for six-and-a-half years at Exeter Crown Court. He will also face a 10-year driving ban and five years on licence post-release, with an extended driving test required before hitting the road again.
Brave Officer Speaks Out
“I don’t hold any animosity towards this individual. The decisions he made have had huge consequences for him,” said Sgt Howden, a police officer for nearly 22 years. “I’m very fortunate my injury wasn’t far more severe.”
He also praised the public’s swift action and kindness: “I genuinely couldn’t have had a better reaction from the people there. Their immediate actions were incredibly positive.”
Police Warn Against Assaults on Duty
Detective Constable Kerry Murch condemned the attack, saying: “Incidents like this reflect the dangers police face daily. Assaulting officers should never be condoned or seen as ‘part of the job.’ Devon and Cornwall Police will always pursue those who attack officers.”
Murch drew parallels with the tragic killing of PC Andrew Harper in 2019, warning how easily things can turn deadly when drivers use cars as weapons.
Price’s defence highlighted his autism spectrum disorder, mixed personality disorder, and possible temporal lobe epilepsy, but the court was clear on the seriousness of his violent actions.
