A BANNED driver who rammed two police cars to evade capture has walked free from court.

Burnley Crown Court heard that just before 12.20am on April 20 police spotted a stolen Volkswagen Passat on the M65.

Prosecuting Emma Kehoe said the car, which had false number plates, was being driven by 30-year-old Shahzad Hussain.

Officers followed the Passat from a distance and watched it exit at junction 12 before pulling up at a petrol station at the junction of Churchill Way and Manchester Road, Nelson.

Ms Kehoe said: “Two police vehicles boxed the Volkswagen Passat in while it was stationary. Mr Hussain was the driver of the Passat.

“The defendant reversed his Passat into the police car behind him. He then drove forward and rammed the police car in front of him. This was an attempt by him to drive away from the police vehicles. As this manoeuvre failed he decamped and ran into nearby bushes.”

The court heard how one of the vehicles Hussain rammed was being driven by a police dog handler. The officer released police dog Jax who found Hussain in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Hussain, formerly of Stanley Street, Brierfield but now of Colne Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, driving while disqualified, possessing an article to be used in fraud and driving with no insurance.

Ms Kehoe said that in 2010 Hussain was convicted of failing to provide a specimen, in 2012 he was convicted of drink driving and driving while disqualified, and in 2013 he was jailed for 18 months for driving while disqualified, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and drink driving.

In 2017 Hussain was convicted of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Defending Andrew Alty said the public would be better served if she imposed the community order recommendation given by the probation service.

Mr Alty said: “We have seen him go to prison before for driving offences. It doesn’t seem to have addressed his offending issues.”

Judge Sara Dodd imposed an 18-month community order, with 10 rehabilitation days and 240 hours' unpaid work. Hussain was also given a curfew and banned from driving for two years.