Candace Desilva, 37, of Anfield, has been spared jail time after she dragged a police officer along a road with her Range Rover while attempting to flee a traffic stop. The incident occurred on September 14, 2024, on Leeds Street in Liverpool.
PC Simon Ward, a former RAF medic who served in Afghanistan, pulled Desilva over for using her phone while driving and making an illegal U-turn. He noted she had “glazed eyes and slurred speech.” Roadside tests revealed Desilva had 90 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath, more than double the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
When PC Ward requested a female officer to conduct a search, Desilva refused, stating she was leaving. As she drove off, PC Ward attempted to remove the keys from the ignition and was left clinging to the side of the vehicle. Desilva continued to drive, hitting the officer and causing lacerations to his fingers and hand. She also told a passenger to put the car into “sport mode.”
PC Ward, fearing he would be dragged under the vehicle, activated his panic button and deployed PAVA spray. The vehicle eventually stopped, and Desilva was heard on bodycam footage asking about the spray. Upon being informed of her arrest for assaulting an emergency worker, she stated she wanted to go home to her children.
During her detention, Desilva refused orders and resisted arrest by throwing herself to the floor, causing a set of handcuffs to scrape a second officer’s forearm.
PC Ward sustained serious and potentially permanent injuries to his leg, requiring him to use a crutch and a knee brace. He also suffers from symptoms of PTSD.
Defending, Charles Lander told Liverpool Crown Court that Desilva is a mother of four, two of whom have neurodivergent conditions. He highlighted that Desilva had voluntarily sought help from Alcoholics Anonymous and NHS talking therapies before charges were filed, recognizing her excessive alcohol consumption. He also mentioned her PTSD and history of mental health issues, stating she would suffer in custody. Her partner does not work, and she is employed as an account manager by the Royal College of Physicians.
Desilva pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and assaulting an emergency worker. She received a 28-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with 140 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement. She was also banned from driving for three years and must pass an extended retest.
Sentencing, Judge Garrett Byrne described Desilva's behavior as “absolutely appalling” and noted that her reckless actions could have killed the officer. He acknowledged her four children, two with special needs, as the sole reason for suspending the sentence.