Police found a man cowering under a bed after he hit three people with his car while dangerously speeding in Colchester, Essex. Joseph Wicks, 27, was located hiding under an Ottoman bed during a warrant executed by armed officers on 11 May.
Incident on Queen Street
On November 30, 2025, Wicks' Fiat 500 mounted the pavement and struck three pedestrians on Queen Street in the early hours. He had driven dangerously and aggressively around the city earlier that morning, including driving the wrong way along one-way streets. Police said he narrowly missed members of the public as he sped along narrow roads and ignored red traffic lights.
Once he reached Queen Street, Wicks drove onto the pavement where a group of people were gathered outside a nightclub, striking three people before driving away and abandoning the car. Essex Police said that none of the victims suffered serious injuries. Wicks was identified as the driver when officers recovered his fingerprints from inside the car.
Stalking and firearm report
Since that incident, Wicks was involved in the stalking and harassment of a woman, which culminated in an incident on 8 May this year. He had arrived at that victim's address, shouting and banging on the front door. A witness who approached Wicks about his behaviour reported seeing him with a metal bat and a handgun. Officers located his van and recovered the baseball bat, but no firearm was found.
Armed officers executed a warrant at an address in Colchester on 11 May. Multiple people inside the property said they hadn't seen Wicks, but officers found him hiding under an Ottoman bed.
Arrest and charges
Inspector Tom Stokes, of Essex Police's Force Support Unit, said: "In this case, officers were tasked with locating and arresting a man linked to a series of serious offences, including dangerous driving, which put members of the public at risk and a report involving what was believed to be a firearm."
"When information suggests there may be a weapon involved, we must plan carefully and act decisively. The professionalism shown by the officers involved meant they were able to safely enter the address, carry out a thorough search and locate Wicks despite efforts to conceal himself. Their actions ensured a high-harm offender was brought before the courts and held accountable for his actions."
Wicks was arrested and charged with a number of offences, including: dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop for police, three counts of assault by beating, three counts of attempting to cause actual bodily harm, stalking, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, sending threatening communications, and criminal damage.
