Dramatic moment ex-soldier, 41, smashes 2.5-ton military truck through police blockade in sleepy village – causing £310,000 of damage

• Geoff Marshall smashed a truck through a police blockade in a Somerset village
• The ex-soldier, 41, was in the army for  17 years and was a military instructor

This is the dramatic moment an ex-soldier smashed a 2.5-ton military truck through a police blockage in a sleepy village.

Geoff Marshall smashed the truck through a police blockade during his ‘reign of terror’, which caused £310,000 of damage.

The father, 41, had been trying to flee police, who were called to his home following a row with his partner, Kathryn Marshall Lam.

Officers arrived at the address in Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton, Somerset, to find Marshall at the wheel of the 1958 M35 cargo truck.

He reversed into the garden at his terraced property before going on the rampage, also smashing into his wife’s Range Rover and a lamp-post. He was arrested when police negotiators talked him down from a M5 overbridge.

Geoff Marshall smashed the truck through a police blockade during his ‘reign of terror’

He had been trying to flee police, who were called to his home following a row with his partner

He reversed into the garden at his terraced property before going on the rampage, also smashing into his wife’s Range Rover and a lamp-post

Taunton Crown Court heard that Marshall admitted causing damage to the police cars and the public’s cars and said he intended to drive to the bridge to kill himself

Marshall told police that his wife had seen messages from another woman on his phone and that had sparked a row.

He said he wanted a divorce but feared losing access to his children and home.

Taunton Crown Court heard that Marshall admitted causing damage to the police cars and the public’s cars and said he intended to drive to the bridge to kill himself.

He said his intention was to get away rather than cause damage or harm to the police.

Marshall, who represented himself in court, claimed his wife had cheated on him and he wanted a divorce but she threatened to leave him homeless and penniless.

He told the court he suffered a breakdown when the police turned up, adding: ‘I never intended to harm anyone. I am deeply ashamed of my actions.’

One police officer said: ‘I have never been so scared as I have during this incident. I seriously thought I was going to be crushed and killed.’

Marshall admitted 11 charges of criminal damage, assaulting his wife and dangerous driving. He was jailed for 12 months, with a further 12 months on licence.

The court heard Marshall was in the Army for 17 years and was a military instructor at the Royal School of Signals, training recruits.

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