Jail for motorist who drove at policeman

11:36pm Friday 2nd May 2008

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A BANNED motorist who nearly mowed down a police officer during a gangland-style standoff has been jailed for eight months.

Police swooped on the Bay Horse pub in Worsthorne after reports that masked men had descended on the village.

The masked men, all from the Salford area of Greater Manchester, were believed to be looking for an unnamed man.

Burnley Crown Court heard how one of the drivers, Paul Williams, 32, refused to stop for police despite his window being smashed.

He rammed a police vehicle before abandoning the car he was driving and running off. Williams was detained after the police helicopter was called in and he was spotted using his mobile phone in a rural field.

Williams claimed he did not know they were police officers even though, the court was told, they were in uniform and were wearing high visibility stab-proof vests.

Judge Pamela Badley said she did not believe the defendant and said he had been intent on moving the car.

Williams, of Bolton Road, Walkden, had admitted dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, failing to stop and driving without insurance. He was also banned for two years and must take an extended re-test.

David Macro, prosecuting, said police were called to the Bay Horse at 4pm on March 24, after reports of people in masks. A lot of cars were reported to be outside.

Police followed a vehicle and blocked in a silver Mercedes. A BMW was behind it and behind that was a police car, stopping the BMW from reversing.

The BMW, which Williams was driving, reversed a little and a police car pulled up alongside to stop it from leaving.

Mr Macro said an officer got out, approached the vehicle and shouted: "Stop, police." The defendant drove onto the kerb and open grass and an officer leaned in his car and took hold of his hands and the steering wheel.

He said the defendant drove backwards, hitting the police car and the police vehicle rolled back, giving him room to manoeuvre. Officers continued to shout : "Stop, police."

Williams then smashed into a sign and drove in the officer's direction, causing him to jump out of the way.

The officer smashed the rear passenger window with his baton but the defendant went onto the footpath and a grass verge and drove off. He later abandoned the vehicle and was arrested.

He made no comment in interview but pleaded guilty at the magistrates' court to the motoring charges.

Mr Macro said Williams had "quite a record", for similar offending and had been banned for two years for driving without due care and attention in October 2006. He had been on remand for 36 days.

Martin Pizzey, defending, said Williams knew his behaviour had been wholly unacceptable and was prepared to take his punishment.

He had nothing to do with the incident which may have been taking place at the Bay Horse. A friend had asked him to drive his car a short distance. The red mist had descended and he panicked.