Joseph Wicks, 27, of Colchester, has been sentenced to four years and six months in prison for a series of offenses, including hitting three pedestrians while speeding and a subsequent campaign of stalking and harassment. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and six months.
Wicks mounted the pavement and struck three people with a Fiat 500 on Queen Street on November 30 of the previous year. He fled the scene, and police later discovered his fingerprints in the abandoned vehicle. During the incident, Wicks narrowly avoided other members of the public, driving the wrong way down one-way streets, speeding on narrow roads, and disregarding traffic signals.
Six months after the dangerous driving incident, while Essex Police were investigating, Wicks committed further offenses. His stalking and harassment of a woman escalated on May 8 of this year when he went to her address, shouting, swearing, and banging on the front door while demanding entry. When a man confronted Wicks about his behavior as he returned to his van, the man reported seeing a metal baseball bat and what appeared to be a handgun inside the vehicle. Wicks left the area but continued to send threatening phone calls and messages to the woman.
Following the report of a potential firearm, armed officers began searching for Wicks. The following day, they located his van and found the baseball bat, but no firearm. On May 11, officers arrived at another address, where Wicks was found hiding underneath a bed.
Wicks was arrested and charged with numerous offenses, including dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop for police, three counts of assault by beating, three counts of attempting to cause actual bodily harm, stalking, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, sending threatening communications, and criminal damage. He admitted to many charges but denied possessing an imitation firearm.
Appearing for sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, July 31, Wicks received his prison sentence and driving disqualification. Inspector Tom Stokes of the Force Support Unit stated that the officers involved demonstrated professionalism, calm judgment, and clear decision-making in locating and arresting Wicks, ensuring a high-harm offender was held accountable.