'I thought we could all go up in flames like Roman candles': Terrifying moment thug soaked eight police officers in PETROL after a high-speed car chase as he is jailed for three years

Footage has emerged of the terrifying moment a thug soaked eight police officers in petrol after a high-speed car chase - as he was jailed for three years. 
Justin Jackson, 28, attacked the officers as police tried to arrest a youth riding a stolen motorbike in Basildon, Essex on May 5. 
Captured on a police body-cam and by helicopter, Jackson can be seen running up to a group of officers and covering them in fuel before being knocked over and running from the scene.
He admitted at an earlier hearing at Basildon Crown Court to eight counts of administering a noxious substance with intent to cause injury.
Temporary Superintendent Jonathan Baldwin, reading from his victim impact statement in court, said: 'At the time of the incident while being covered with petrol I remember thinking "we could all go up in flames here like Roman candles".'

Captured on a police body-cam and by helicopter Jackson (pictured) can be seen running up to a group of officers and covering them in fuel
Captured on a police body-cam and by helicopter Jackson (pictured) can be seen running up to a group of officers and covering them in fuel
Footage of the attack was also captured by police helicopter. Then yob flicks the noxious fluid into his face before being knocked over and running from the scene
Footage of the attack was also captured by police helicopter. Then yob flicks the noxious fluid into his face before being knocked over and running from the scene
He said he could not see if anyone was smoking in the vicinity, adding: 'It was one of those days I realised I might not have got home at all.'
'This was in my view a calculated attack carried out without regard for the lives of police officers, their loved ones and others who were nearby at the time,' he said.
He said that some people came out from their homes carrying kitchen pans full of water and inviting officers to use their sinks and showers to help them.
'These particular memories have helped me keep a tight grip on the hope that what some people did that day is not representative of the wider community,' said Mr Baldwin.   
Judge Samantha Cohen, sentencing him today, said it must have been a 'terrifying experience' for the police officers and found that Jackson did it to prevent them from making arrests.
She said: 'Initially some (of the officers) thought they were splashed with a disfiguring acid or bleach, but when they smelled it was petrol they feared they would be set alight.'
Judge Cohen praised the officers involved as a 'credit to their force'.
Jackson (pictured) appeared in Basildon Crown Court today after pleading guilty to the attack which unfolded on May 5. He was jailed for three years and nine months for eight counts of administering a noxious substance with intent to injury, aggrieve or annoy
Jackson (pictured) appeared in Basildon Crown Court today after pleading guilty to the attack which unfolded on May 5. He was jailed for three years and nine months for eight counts of administering a noxious substance with intent to injury, aggrieve or annoy
Joe Bird, prosecuting, said that disorder had broken out as police tried to arrest a youth riding a stolen motorbike and people interfered with attempts to arrest him in Basildon, Essex.
The disorder on May 5 involved a 'considerable number' of members of the public and the police helicopter was on the scene, he said.
During this disorder, Jackson 'armed himself with a watering can full of petrol' then 'brings it to the scene and sprays officers with it', Mr Bird said.
He said the impact on the eight police officers varied, with some feeling 'stinging on the skin the petrol came into contact with' and others getting the fuel in their eyes.
'One described being unable to see, having his head in his hands on the floor, not knowing what was going to happen to him or how he was going to get out of the situation,' said Mr Bird.
He said all of the officers described a feeling of fear, adding: 'They realised it was petrol and they were involved in a very serious incident with a number of members of the public and they thought this could get quite considerably worse.
'They thought they could be set alight and left with significantly worse injuries, if not killed.'
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington welcomed the sentence.
Jackson attacked the officers as police tried to arrest a youth riding a stolen motorbike in Basildon, Essex on May 5 (pictured, the motorbike youth lies on the ground following his arrest)
Jackson attacked the officers as police tried to arrest a youth riding a stolen motorbike in Basildon, Essex on May 5 (pictured, the motorbike youth lies on the ground following his arrest) 
He said: 'I am pleased that the courts today have recognised this by imprisoning Justin Jackson for his crime.
It was no surprise that all of the officers carried on their shifts that night and ever since, but I know they will still be feeling the emotional effects from that day and we will continue to support them.
'I want to thank them on behalf of the whole force and the people of Essex for their determination and courage. They are a true testament to the what British policing is all about.
'No officer should ever get attacked for doing their job - protecting and serving our communities to keep them safe. I know we have the support of the public in doing this and officers and staff know they have my support.
'I do though want to make it very clear.
'If you assault my officers or staff, we will pursue you relentlessly within the law to ensure that you face justice - just like Justin Jackson has.'
The court heard officers watched an event in Canvey Island (pictured) when they spotted a motorcyclist performing wheelies, riding across pedestrian areas and travelling the wrong way up roads. They later tried to arrest the youth, but Jackson tried to stop them doing so by throwing petrol on them
The court heard officers watched an event in Canvey Island (pictured) when they spotted a motorcyclist performing wheelies, riding across pedestrian areas and travelling the wrong way up roads. They later tried to arrest the youth, but Jackson tried to stop them doing so by throwing petrol on them
Alison Gurden, for Jackson, of Ward Close, Basildon, said that he had written a letter of apology and she read it aloud to the court.
In the letter, Jackson said: 'I was just trying to defuse the situation.'
He added: 'I'm deeply sorry for what I've done and I can only imagine the fear they felt.'
Jackson's mother Janine Justin, 47, of Ward Close, Basildon, had denied possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and was found guilty at trial.
The court heard she had armed herself with a hammer and threatened police officers with it during the incident.
She was sentenced on Thursday to nine months in prison suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
Gwawr Thomas, for Justin, said the defendant had no previous convictions and the incident was 'out of character'.
A 17-year-old from Basildon was sentenced at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Friday, August 16 for driving a motor vehicle dangerously. 
He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined.


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