A DANGEROUS driver from Kidderminster was told he was fortunate he did not kill a police officer after reversing his vehicle at him while he tried to escape.

Tommy Smith was jailed for 10 months at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (January 6) when he appeared before his honour Judge Abbas Mithani QC who branded his driving 'appalling'.

The 36-year-old, of Jubilee Drive, had already admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

When the offences were committed Smith was subject to a 16 week prison sentence suspended for two years and a community order.

The court heard how an officer was passing the Arc car wash in Stourport Road, Kidderminster, at around 2.30pm on November 25, when he noticed a blue Land Rover Discovery belonging to the defendant whom he knew was disqualified from driving.

The officer reported the matter and, at around 2.45pm, two officers on mobile patrol followed the vehicle into Goldthorn Road, into Woodbury Road and on to an area of woodland.

Amrisha Parathalingam, prosecuting, said one of the officers approached the Land Rover on foot.

She said: "He was side by side with the passenger side of that vehicle and attempted to open the passenger door when the vehicle engine was revved and he accelerated away from the officer.

“The officer continued to give chase on foot."

Smith's escape was blocked by a police vehicle and he then began to reverse in the direction of the officer who was pursuing him on foot.

"The Land Rover reversed at some speed, causing him (the officer) to jump out of the way" said Miss Parathalingam.

The Land Rover then swung around and was driven away in the direction from which it had originally come.

Smith admitted the offence.

The court heard how Smith had 38 convictions for 76 offences, including for driving whilst disqualified and had served two months in custody in 2013.

Charles Hamer, defending, said: "It's a bad record. There's no two ways about it.

“He frankly acknowledges he was wrong and very foolish indeed to get behind the wheel of a motorcar yet again and to drive it when police were on his tail in the manner that has been described."

Mr Hamer said Smith accepted he was guilty of dangerous driving on a reckless basis and had not intended to harm the officer.

He said of the father-of-three: "He knows he must change his behaviour so he presents a more positive role model to his children.”

Judge Mithani said: "The manner in which you drove the vehicle in question was appalling.

"If the officer had not got out of the way he might have been seriously injured.

“It might have resulted not just in the serious injury but in the fatality of the police officer."

Smith was jailed for 10 months in total.

Judge Mithani also banned Smith from driving for three years and five months.