IT is three years since we reported on the jailing of a banned driver who drove backwards at speed towards a police officer who had tried to stop him in a Worcester street.

Lee Shire, of Rose Avenue, Worcester, accelerated in reverse with his "wheels spinning" and the officer just managed to avoid serious injury by jumping out of the way, Worcester Crown Court was told in September 2017.

Shire had been spotted by the uniformed officer at the junction of May Avenue and Rose Avenue on August 2, 2017, driving his Fiat just six weeks after he was disqualified, Glyn Samuel, prosecuting, told the court.

CCTV footage shown to the court showed the officer pulling his marked police car in front of Shire with his blue lights flashing.

As the officer got out, Shire drove away along Rose Avenue but his progress was obstructed by another car coming in the opposite direction.

"He put the car into reverse, wheels spinning, and accelerated at speed towards the officer at the junction," Mr Samuel said.

The officer stood in the way and drew his extendable baton but was forced to dodge aside.

The car caught him on the leg, causing a slight graze, Mr Samuel said. Shire was arrested later.

Shire, who appeared by video link from prison on his birthday, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

The court heard he had 25 previous convictions for 38 offences.

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Jason Aris, defending, said being remanded in custody was his first time in prison and he had found it an "extremely unpleasant" experience that he didn't want to repeat.

He added: "Fortunately, the police officer did not suffer any serious injury."

Mr Aris said. "The car was not driven intentionally to cause any injury, it was reckless."

Judge Nicholas Cole said Shire had driven intentionally at speed towards a uniformed officer as he tried to evade police and when other people were around in the area.

"You could easily have caused serious injury," he told Shire.

"This was a serious incident of dangerous driving."

Shire was jailed for a total of 14 months.

He was banned from driving for three years and seven months and will have to pass an extended re-test.

Asked by the judge if he owned the car, Shire said he did and it was worth no more than £100 scrap value. An order was made for it to be forfeited.