The officer who Jaquii Pearman Desilva shot at as he tried to escape from police after killing Prince Edness has described how his life flashed before him as the shots rang out.

Sergeant Minton Gilbert chased down Pearman DesSilva as he sped through Southampton parish just moments after he had shot Mr Edness in the front garden of a property.

In a victim impact statement that was read during Pearman Desilva’s sentencing hearing yesterday Sgt Gilbert said: “I have had countless high-speed pursuits before during my career, but this one will be a haunting one.

“Even with all the firearm training that I have received you are never really prepared for someone to stand in front of you, point a gun at you and fire shots in an attempt to kill you.”

During Pearman Desilva’s trial Sgt Gilbert told jurors how Pearman Desilva’s bike — which was being driven by another man — reached speeds of 90kph during the high-speed chase.

The pursuit came to an end close to the Waterlot restaurant on Middle Road when Pearman Desilva fired several shots at Sgt Gilbert and then fled up a nearby street.

“Shot one stunned me, shot two I decided this was not how I was going to die,” he said in his statement.

“‘Don’t die here’, ‘Get out of here fast’ resonated in my head.”

Sgt Gilbert went on to describe how the incident had left a profound effect on him as well as his family.

He said: “Although the bullets didn’t penetrate my body, the pain I felt having to call my wife was unforgettable.

“The anger, the rage, the paranoia, the uneasiness, the reality, that the possibility of my death at work is now possible.

“The ripple effect of this incident on my family is unwarranted.

“My wife shouldn’t have to panic when people on motorbikes wearing black visors drive up behind her car too close.

“My family shouldn’t be having recurring dreams involving guns when they are not violent people.”

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