A gunman who was caught by an off-duty police officer after a foot chase and jumping into the River Quaggy has been jailed.

Clive Tebu, of Jenningtree Road in Bexley, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday, October 19 where he was sentenced to prison for five years and 10 months.

On April 19, 2022, police were patrolling Lee Road when they noticed a grey Mercedes driven by Tebu.

They signalled for him to pull over, and after failing to do so, police chased Tebu through residential areas.

Tebu sped at more than 77mph in a 20mph zone.

In a bid to get away, he rammed a member of the public’s vehicle before mounting a pavement and fleeing on foot.

One of the officers then saw Tebu jump into the River Quaggy.

The officers followed, getting into the water in uniform.

As Tebu tried to get away, the on-duty officer was assisted by an off-duty officer who had seen the chase.

The off-duty officer raced through the water before detaining Tebu and holding him until the on duty officer could reach them.

(video: Metropolitan Police)

Tebu was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop.

During the pursuit, Tebu had been seen to throw items from the car, which were soon identified as a loaded gun, ammunition, and a large sum of money.

Further searches of property linked to Tebu also found £75,000 in cash.

Tebu pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on May 19 to: Dangerous driving, Failing to stop for police, Driving without insurance, Possession of a firearm, Possession of a firearm while prohibited, Possession of ammunition and Possession of ammunition while prohibited.

The 31-year-old was also disqualified from driving for 59 months.

Detective Constable Rachael Nelhams, of the Specialist Crime Command (Trident), said: “Thanks to the professionalism and diligence of these officers, another viable firearm has been taken off the streets.

“This will inevitably have saved lives and prevented unknown victims suffering serious injuries or worse.

“The police drivers involved in this incident showed a high level of skill in safely following Tebu as he drove in an extremely dangerous manner.

“The officer who pursued him over a wall and into the river showed impressive determination and commitment.

“I would also like to praise the off duty officer who saw a colleague in need of help and jumped in – quite literally – to provide vital support.

“His selfless actions were brave and showed the best qualities of policing.

“Without his intervention it is possible that Tebu, who was not weighed down in the water in the way the fully-kitted officer was, might have got away.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “An armed criminal who was caught by an off-duty officer following a foot chase in a river has been jailed for five years and 10 months.

“Clive Tebu, 31 (22.02.91), of Jenningtree Road, Bexley, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday, 19 October, having pleaded guilty at the same court on 19 May to the following offences:

• Dangerous driving • Failing to stop for police • Driving without insurance • Possession of a firearm • Possession of a firearm while prohibited • Possession of ammunition • Possession of ammunition while prohibited

“He was also disqualified from driving for 59 months.

“On 19 April 2022, officers from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command were on routine patrol in Lee Road, SE3, when their attention was drawn to a grey Mercedes driven by Tebu.

“They signalled for him to pull over but he failed to do so.

“Instead he led them on a pursuit through residential areas, weaving in and out of traffic, swerving around traffic islands and narrowly missing an oncoming motorcyclist.

“At times, Tebu reached speeds of more than 77mph in a 20mph zone.

“In a desperate bid to get away, he rammed a member of the public’s vehicle before mounting a pavement, narrowly missing pedestrians.

“When he realised he was blocked in, he leapt from the car and began fleeing on foot.

“One of the officers gave chase and saw Tebu climb over a wall and jump into the River Quaggy on the other side.

“The officer followed, wading into the water wearing full kit despite the unknown dangers.

“As Tebu tried to get away, the on duty officer was assisted by an off-duty officer who had seen the chase and stepped in to assist.

“The off-duty officer – who is normally attached to the emergency response team on the South East Basic Command Unit – raced through the water, at full speed, before apprehending Tebu and holding him until the on duty officer could reach them.

“Tebu was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop.

“During the pursuit, he had been seen to throw items from the car. When officers went back to recover the items they found a loaded firearm (a 9mm handgun), ammunition and a large sum of money.

“Further searches of property linked to Tebu also found £75,000 in cash.

“He was further arrested and was ultimately charged with the offences above.”

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