A driver twice reversed into a police vehicle during a high speed chase in an attempt to evade capture.

Dillon Irwin, 29, did not hold any insurance for the Ford Transit van he was driving at around 1.50am on January 7 this year.

An on-duty officer was alerted to the van after it activated ANPR cameras in Padiham, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Irwin pulled into a Texaco petrol station and was followed in by the officers who activated their blue lights. Irwin drove off at speed when he saw these.

A pursuit followed in which Irwin reached speeds of up to 60mph in 20mph residential zones, drove through give way junctions and failed to stop at stop signs.

During the chase, the van slammed to a halt and rather than turning the engine off, he reversed it directly towards the police car and collided with the front.

The van drove off again with police still in pursuit. The defendant mounted a pavement in order to undertake a slow-moving Suzuki Swift, but hit a bollard and collided with the other car.

Despite the crash, Irwin continued to drive the van and drove onto a footpath before stopping at the entrance to Wilding Way.

He and a female passenger left the vehicle and he ran into a nearby garden, where he was apprehended by police and tasered.

It had no effect and he got up and ran away again, but the same action a few moment later was successful.

Irwin was arrested and gave a no comment interview. He has eight convictions for eight offences.

Defending, Mark Stuart said Irwin “wholly accepts responsibility for his offending and does not attempt to minimise his actions".

Mr Stuart said Irwin had bought the vehicle only a couple of days before the incident. He also said he panicked when he saw the police at the petrol station.

Sentencing, Recorder Michelle Brown said: “You were seen driving by police in your transit van in Padiham. You pulled into a Texaco garage. Police activated their sirens and you sped off.

“What followed was a pursuit in residential areas of Padiham. It lasted about 18 minutes.

“You were taking deliberate sharp turns. You slammed on your breaks and deliberately reversed back into them.

“You were eventually stopped and you were seen running away. The police chased you, there was a scuffle, and as a result they deployed their taser.

“These offences are so serious I am satisfied the custody threshold is more than crossed. I am also satisfied this offence is so serious only an immediate custodial sentence meets this serious offence.”

Irwin, of Castle Street, Hapton, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and was disqualified from driving for three years.