Bristol mum's defiant message after cowardly pair jailed for running over her son


Two men have been jailed for deliberately running over an NHS worker in Bristol. Katungua Tjitendero, then 21, was walking home from work at Southmead Hospital when he was struck from behind by a car on Monks Park Avenue at 4.30pm on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.

Patrick James, 22, of Broadlands Drive in Avonmouth, and Phillip Adams, 26, of Eastleigh Road in Southmead, ran from the car after the crash, with one of them shouting a racially abusive term at Mr Tjitendero. Meanwhile, he was pinned up against a wall which was partly demolished by the collision.

Members of the public rushed to Mr Tjitendero's aid and we was sent to hospital for emergency treatment to injuries including facial wounds, a broken nose, a fractured right leg and lacerations to both his legs. A police investigation ensued and found that James had bought the blue Honda Accord involved in the crash the previous week.

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CCTV footage showed him using the car and Adams' DNA was found inside. However, both men denied driving or being in the vehicle when it crashed in Monks Park Road.

Evidence from James' mobile phone shows footage of the car being used to knock a cyclist - Julian Ford - off his bike before fleeing the scene. The deliberate crash took place in Broadlands Drive, Lawrence Weston, on Sunday, July 12, 2020, and saw Mr Ford suffer fractured ribs and air and blood in his chest cavity.

The attack was filmed from inside the vehicle by James. He can be heard laughing before they hit him and afterwards as they drove away.

James and Adams were found guilty of conspiracy to cause intentional grievous bodily harm on Friday (September 27). They appeared at Bristol Crown Court this morning (Monday, September 30) and were sentenced to eight-and-a-half years and six years in prison respectively.

However, Adams was not present in court. A warrant has been issued for Adams’ arrest and conversations have been held with the National Crime Agency to arrange his extradition from Dubai.

Two men are facing jail time after an NHS worker was struck during a hit-and-run. L-R Patrick James, 22 and Phillip Adams, 26
Two men are facing jail time after an NHS worker was struck during a hit-and-run. L-R Patrick James, 22 and Phillip Adams, 26 -Credit:Avon and Somerset Police

Impact of 'cowardly attack'

A statement read out on behalf of Mr Tjitendero's mother, Hivaka, outside court following today’s sentencing described the impact the attack had had on her son and her family. It said: “We are very mindful that this cowardly attack, during which the worst racist abuse was shouted at Katungua, has impacted on all of us – family, friends, community, city, nation and beyond. It has been a long journey and our family would like to thank everyone who came to Katungua’s aid.”

Her statement added: “Lastly, we love our lives, we love each other and we love living in Bristol. We love Bristol’s diversity, its art, its music, its sense of humour and decency, and its people.

“And we will continue to enjoy our lives in Bristol. We feel nothing but pity for the hate filled inadequate people that carried out this cowardly attack, for they and those like them have nothing to offer but hate.”

Katungua Tjitendero crash scene

'Callous disregard was shown for the victims’ wellbeing'

Sentencing the pair, Judge Macmillan said Mr Tjitendero was a key worker, working for the NHS in the early stages of the pandemic when he was attacked. She said: “This was a terrible thing to do to another person, let alone to celebrate it,” adding that Adams “did not have the courage to come to court” for his sentence.

Detective Superintendent Mike Buck, who led the investigation into the attack on Katungua, said: “A callous disregard was shown for the victims’ wellbeing who suffered really significant injuries.

Footage of car mounting pavement to knock cyclist Julian Ford off his bike
Footage of car mounting pavement to knock cyclist Julian Ford off his bike -Credit:Avon & Somerset Police / SWNS

“They were deliberately driven at in horrendous attacks and it’s absolutely right that both men have today been handed lengthy prison sentences for their actions. The support of both Mr Ford and Mr Tjitendero and his family over the past four years has been invaluable and I’d again like to thank them for their patience while the investigation progressed.”