Police officer forced to flee as driver hits patrol car

The impact pushed the vehicle out of the way of the VW Golf with Akeam Khan behind the wheel and he sped away, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The police patrol had been following it amid concern over the way it was being driven in Nith Place, Dudley on January 10.

Then Khan turned into St James Terrace without realising it was a dead end and was attempting a three point turn in a car park when the exit was blocked by the police car.

The two officers got out and talked to him with one at the driver's window and the other in front of the bonnet, explained Miss Madhu Rai, prosecuting. She continued: "The driver wound up his window, reversed slightly and then with spinning wheels began to edge forward.

"The female officer in front of the bonnet had to push against the car to jump out of the way. The Golf then hit the nearside of the unmarked police car causing almost £950 damage and moving it six feet before accelerated away."

The Golf was next seen two days later parked with tell tale damage to the bodywork in Oaks Road, Penn less than a mile from Khan's home. He was identified by both officers at an ID parade held on January 29.

Miss Sophie Murray, defending, said: "He made a seriously bad decision but is a young man with every opportunity not to find himself in front of a court again." She said he was of previous good character, had a job and was taking an engineering degree.

Khan from Bramdean Walk, Warstones pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was given six months detention in a Young Offenders Institution suspended for two years with 150 hours unpaid work. He was also banned from driving for two years and ordered to pay £300 towards the cost of the case.

Judge Nicholas Webb told him: "Generally people who drive dangerously to shake off the police lose their liberty. But this incident was not lengthy, you show promise in certain areas and your references speak well of you."