Michael Olsen from Dartford jailed for 12 years for shooting a police officer in the hand. Image: Met Police

52 year old Michael Olsen from Dartford who shot a police officer has been jailed for 12 years at Inner London Crown Court.

The court heard how PCs Mark Bird and Robert Wilson from Bexley Borough were called to Olsen’s Land Rover Freelander which had been abandoned in the middle of Westwood Lane, Welling just after 9 pm on 3rd October 2014.

The car had collided with a traffic island and several other parked vehicles in the road.

Olsen had walked off and the two officers followed him to try to speak to him, but he ignored them.

When they got out of their car to try and get his attention, he turned round and threatened PC Wilson with a gun.

Gun used by Michael Olsen. Image: Met Police

PC Bird lunged at Olsen who fired and  shot him in the hand.

Both officers then restrained, disarmed and arrested Olsen who was found to have a bag of bullets in his pocket.

Bullets discharged in Michael Olsen case. Image: Met Police

He claimed he thought the firearm was a toy.

Injury to PC Mark Bird’s hand. Image: Met Police

DC Toby Carroll from the Trident Gang Crime Command said:

Olsen showed a reckless disregard throughout the evening of 3 October. It is only by chance that his decision to brandish and discharge a firearm at unarmed officers did not have fatal consequences, as could his behaviour behind the wheel of his car.

His claim that the firearm was a toy was little more than pathetic. He will now spend a considerable time behind bars as a result of his actions.

Borough Commander of Bexley Jeff Boothe said:

This incident highlights the dangers that police officers can face as they go about their job. PC Mark Bird and PC Robert Wilson, knowing they were faced with a man in possession of a firearm, did not shirk from their duty to protect Londoners. They bravely confronted this man, disarmed him and arrested him – I cannot praise their courage enough.

Olsen from Lavinia Road Dartford was found guilty of GBH with intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life and dangerous driving at the same court on 12th January 2015.