Man jailed after deliberately driving at police officers in Freemantle

A 45-year-old man has been jailed after deliberately driving a vehicle at police officers in Freemantle while they were carrying out enquiries to locate a missing person.

David Shaun Clothier, who is of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting an emergency worker and three counts of criminal damage following the incident in the early hours of Sunday 25 January 2026.

Police officers were called to an address on Paynes Road shortly before 12.30am as part of efforts to find a missing person. On seeing the officers, Clothier — who was wanted on recall to prison — accelerated away from the scene with no headlights switched on.

During the incident, he deliberately rammed two marked police vehicles multiple times. He then repeatedly reversed and drove towards officers who were on foot, forcing them to move quickly to avoid being struck.

Clothier attempted to flee by reversing his vehicle through nearby foliage but became stuck in a ditch. He abandoned the car and ran from the scene but was detained following a short foot chase and arrested in Freemantle Lake Park.

He appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday 12 March, where he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The court also imposed a 27-month driving ban.

Speaking after the sentencing, Southampton Deputy District Commander and Assault Police Lead for Hampshire, Chief Inspector Charlie Ilderton, said:

“Police officers and staff in Southampton put themselves in harm’s way every single day to protect the public. They respond to emergencies, safeguard the vulnerable, and stand between danger and our communities with professionalism and courage.

“Clothier’s actions were deliberate, reckless and utterly unacceptable. Our officers were simply carrying out enquiries to locate a missing person when he chose to repeatedly drive at them and ram police vehicles — behaviour that is not only criminal, but a disgraceful attack that put his desire to escape above the potentially devastating injuries he could have caused.

“Violence against police officers should never be considered ‘part of the job’. It will not be tolerated, excused, or minimised.

“This sentence reflects the seriousness of Clothier’s actions and sends a clear message that anyone who assaults or endangers emergency workers will be pursued and held to account.

“I hope Mr Clothier uses his time in prison to reflect on the potentially devastating injuries he could have caused.”