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Policeman who crashed car into force HQ gates had stress disorder from Iraq Policeman who crashed car into force HQ gates had stress disorder from Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
A policeman who crashed his patrol car through the gates of his force’s HQ has walked free after a court heard the Iraq war veteran was suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. A policeman who crashed his patrol car through the gates of his force’s HQ has walked free after a court heard the Iraq war veteran was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
PC Kevin Szabo, 40, from Prestatyn, north Wales, wept in the dock at Liverpool crown court as he was described as an exemplary officer who had served his country both in the armed forces and the police, but who had now lost everything.PC Kevin Szabo, 40, from Prestatyn, north Wales, wept in the dock at Liverpool crown court as he was described as an exemplary officer who had served his country both in the armed forces and the police, but who had now lost everything.
He was serving with Cheshire police but was off work with stress and depression when he turned up at Ellesmere Port police station in January last year, put on his uniform and took a police Vauxhall Astra patrol car, said Robert Dudley, prosecuting.He was serving with Cheshire police but was off work with stress and depression when he turned up at Ellesmere Port police station in January last year, put on his uniform and took a police Vauxhall Astra patrol car, said Robert Dudley, prosecuting.
Related: 'You don't ever get over it': meet the British soldiers living with post-traumatic stress disorderRelated: 'You don't ever get over it': meet the British soldiers living with post-traumatic stress disorder
He sent a text to his brother saying he was going for a “chat with the boss” – to confront his chief constable, David Whatton, about what he felt was the lack of support he received while off work.He sent a text to his brother saying he was going for a “chat with the boss” – to confront his chief constable, David Whatton, about what he felt was the lack of support he received while off work.
Dudley said when other officers at the station realised he had got into the car they tried to stop him but he drove off, blue lights flashing and siren blaring. He was followed by other police cars and the force helicopter was scrambled as Szabo drove the 25 miles to his destination.Dudley said when other officers at the station realised he had got into the car they tried to stop him but he drove off, blue lights flashing and siren blaring. He was followed by other police cars and the force helicopter was scrambled as Szabo drove the 25 miles to his destination.
At police HQ Szabo drove the car through the closed metal gates and vehicle barrier and right up to the front door.At police HQ Szabo drove the car through the closed metal gates and vehicle barrier and right up to the front door.
Dudley continued: “He got out of the car, he ran into the premises, followed in by a number of other officers. He was detained by a number of officers in the canteen. He was shouting: ‘Let me see the chief!’”Dudley continued: “He got out of the car, he ran into the premises, followed in by a number of other officers. He was detained by a number of officers in the canteen. He was shouting: ‘Let me see the chief!’”
He was dismissed from his job by Cheshire police, whom he joined in 2008. Szabo pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to dangerous driving on 29 January 2014.He was dismissed from his job by Cheshire police, whom he joined in 2008. Szabo pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to dangerous driving on 29 January 2014.
His not guilty plea to aggravated vehicle taking was accepted by the prosecution and a charge of criminal damage was not proceeded with for the £6,550 damage to the police car, gates and barrier.His not guilty plea to aggravated vehicle taking was accepted by the prosecution and a charge of criminal damage was not proceeded with for the £6,550 damage to the police car, gates and barrier.
Szabo had gone sick off work in September 2013 suffering depression and stress, the court heard. On the day an officer from North Wales police, where his wife served as an officer, went to his home and a “tearful and angry” Szabo told the officer he was suffering marital problems.Szabo had gone sick off work in September 2013 suffering depression and stress, the court heard. On the day an officer from North Wales police, where his wife served as an officer, went to his home and a “tearful and angry” Szabo told the officer he was suffering marital problems.
Nicholas Walker, mitigating, said it was a sad and troubling case; the defendant at the age of 19 was an infantryman, at 30 was serving with the quick reaction force in Iraq and at 40 was a valued and respected police officer with an exemplary record.Nicholas Walker, mitigating, said it was a sad and troubling case; the defendant at the age of 19 was an infantryman, at 30 was serving with the quick reaction force in Iraq and at 40 was a valued and respected police officer with an exemplary record.
But Szabo suffered posttraumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq and was mentally ill at the time of the incident, feeling he did not get the support needed from his employers. “He wanted to tell the chief constable how he and his colleagues were being let down,” Mr Walker said. But Szabo suffered PTSD after serving in Iraq and was mentally ill at the time of the incident, feeling he did not get the support needed from his employers. “He wanted to tell the chief constable how he and his colleagues were being let down,” Walker said.
He added: “The defendant’s marriage has also collapsed in the last 12 months, he’s lost his family life, the job he adored, his house and his good name. The defendant has lost everything.”He added: “The defendant’s marriage has also collapsed in the last 12 months, he’s lost his family life, the job he adored, his house and his good name. The defendant has lost everything.”
Szabo is now receiving medical help with his mental trauma, the court heard.Szabo is now receiving medical help with his mental trauma, the court heard.
Passing sentence, Judge Clement Goldstone QC, Recorder of Liverpool, said mental illness took over the defendant in 2013, leading him to hold a “wholly unjustified grudge” against his employers when there was no reason to believe support from his force was lacking or inconsiderate.Passing sentence, Judge Clement Goldstone QC, Recorder of Liverpool, said mental illness took over the defendant in 2013, leading him to hold a “wholly unjustified grudge” against his employers when there was no reason to believe support from his force was lacking or inconsiderate.
He added: “Now it appears you are on the road to recovering mental health and stability and I’m not going to do anything that will interfere with that course of action being maintained.”He added: “Now it appears you are on the road to recovering mental health and stability and I’m not going to do anything that will interfere with that course of action being maintained.”
Szabo was given a two-year community order and a 12-month supervision order and was banned from driving for two years.Szabo was given a two-year community order and a 12-month supervision order and was banned from driving for two years.
There was no order for him to pay costs or damages as he is now unemployed and cannot access funds from his police pension until retirement age.There was no order for him to pay costs or damages as he is now unemployed and cannot access funds from his police pension until retirement age.