A FEMALE cop who was left in a wheelchair after her boyfriend smashed into her with a jet ski has told how the thug destroyed her life.
PCSO Vikki Gill, 36, was on holiday in Mexico with William Thompson, 34, in 2019 when he ploughed into her in the water.
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Vikki Gill says William Thompson 'destroyed her life' Credit: Facebook
The mum-of-two told Durham Crown Court she believed the horror crash was deliberate, with Thompson later posting a picture of a jet ski on Facebook accompanied by the message "weapon of choice".
Vikki, who was a poster girl for Durham Police and even starred in the Channel 4 Reality Show Canny Cops, was left needing surgery to insert steel rods on her legs and was put in a wheelchair.
She managed to fight her way back to duty but was no longer physically able to do front line policing on her beat in Peterlee, County Durham.
Now, speaking after Thompson was given a suspended jail sentence, Vikki says her police career is left in ruins.
"He has destroyed my f***ing life," the mum-of-two said.
"I cannot do the things I used to and it is really hard. I got no compensation for it at all.
"I have to get out of this house and get moved, it is just a nightmare."
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Vikki was put on restricted duty with Durham Police Credit: Twitter 3
The PCSO starred in Channel 4's Canny Cops Credit: BBC/Minnow Films/Jack Rampling
Recalling the moment Thompson changed her life forever, she said: "He was out on the jet skis with us. We were on holiday together.
"Then he just came side on, laughing his head off, thinking it was hilarious, and crashed into the side of us."
Vikki says she is still employed as a PCSO but has not done her job properly since the accident.
"I was on restricted duty," she explained.
"Then I ended up going back out but I could not manage. I was going to have to leave because I could not manage full time.
"So they dropped my hours to part time. But then I am back under occupational health with work."
Durham Crown Court heard how Thompson - a former soldier with the Royal Artillery - had carried out a "campaign of terror" against Vikki and was using an app to track her movements while they were on holiday in Mexico.
After the getaway, he then posted a picture of a jet ski on his Facebook along with the message “Weapon of Choice”.
The lorry driver also dropped injured Vikki at her mum’s house after the trip, saying: “There you go. She’s your problem”.
The court heard Vikki suspected he had deliberately collided with her when the pair were on separate jet skis.
Prosecutor Chris Baker said she needed surgery to fit steel rods in her legs and had to use a wheel chair for the rest of the holiday.
HOW YOU CAN GET HELP:
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
Always keep your phone nearby. Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine. If you are in danger, call 999. Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”. Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare. If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone. Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a -victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support -service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service - available every day from 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour -National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
But Thompson remained “unhelpful and unpleasant” towards her until they flew back to Britain.
When Vikki finally plucked up the courage to leave him, Thompson messaged her: “Someone is going to get hurt” with an image of a figure holding a pistol near where she was staying at a friend’s house.
The court heard Thompson, who was said to be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome following his service career, conducted a campaign of terror against Vikki.
Thompson, of Lea Side, Consett, County Durham, admitted controlling and coersive behaviour and putting a person on fear of violence.
Lewis Kerr, mitigating, said his client suffered PTSD and was also diagnosed with cancer last December for which he is still undergoing treatment.
He added that Thompson had now “moved on” and was working a local charity to address his mental health issues.
Judge Ray Singh gave him a 24-month jail sentence suspended for 24 months and ordered him to attend a “better relationships” course.
He was also ordered to be tagged for a 120 day alcohol abstinence order and do 35 days rehabilitation activity.
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He told Thompson he was “on a power trip” and he was being merciful even though he “richly deserved to go to prison”.
He added: “This was a horrendous catalogue of abuse against a female who time and time again gave you the chance to change.”
Judge Singh granted an indefinite restraining order, banning Thompson from ever contacting PCSO Gill again.
PCSO Vikki Gill patrols the streets of County Durham in BBC Three’s Canny Cops