A Worcester Park man who took police on a terrifying 40 minute car chase, injuring an officer and ramming police cars before smashing through barriers at Epsom Racecourse, has had his appeal rejected.

Joseph Pullen, 43, of Buckland Way, was given indefinite imprisonment for the public protection at Kingston Crown Court on September 15, after he tore through Tolworth, Ewell and Epsom on May 31 last year, deliberately ramming police cars with his 4x4 and driving into oncoming traffic.

Pullen was ordered to serve a minimum of 30 months in prison before he would be considered for parole and was also banned from driving for five years.

He had his appeal against the sentence rejected in front of three judges, Lord Justice Hooper, Mr Justice Lloyd Jones and Mr Justice Cranston, who sat at the Criminal Appeal Court on Friday, February 20.

Pullen’s escapade started when he went to the home of his girlfriend Zareta Holechova, a nanny, in Manor Drive North on May 31 last year, angry that she had gone on a trip with her employers.

After assaulting Miss Holechova, police then put Pullen under surveillance and when he later left his home, officers watching him called for back-up fearing he would return to his girlfriend’s address.

He was then pulled over in Tolworth Rise South, where officers were forced to “dive for safety” when Pullen reversed at speed into their patrol car which was left “concertinaed”.

The chase continued at speeds up to 80mph, and ended in Epsom when Pullen attempted to get away on foot.

The appeal court said it also took into consideration Pullen’s 16 previous convictions, including an incident when he broke into an ex-girlfriend’s home and went “totally berserk”, vandalising the entire property.