A police officer was injured when a drink driver reversed his tipper truck at his car during a police chase.
James Lee was already banned from the roads when he got behind the wheel of the Ford Transit Tipper. Officers tried to pull him over near the travellers' site in Birtley, Gateshead, where he was living but he refused to stop, sparking a pursuit.
A court heard he swerved across the road, went round the wrong side of a roundabout then reversed at speed for 20 to 30 metres towards the police car. The officer managed to reverse, avoiding a collision but when Lee pulled the same trick soon afterwards, the policeman reversed into another police car as he took evasive action.
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Newcastle Crown Court heard he thinks he was knocked unconscious and vomited after coming round. His condition later deteriorated and he suffered blurred vision, felt sick and was taken to hospital.
He suffered concussion, which he said affected his short term memory and caused a migraine and tinnitus. He also suffered back pain, whiplash to his neck, and injuries to his shoulder and knee. He has been referred for counselling for the psychological impact.
Joe Hedworth, prosecuting, said: "He is on sick leave and doesn't know how the injuries will impact him long term but he thinks it will have an impact on his police career and his personal life.
"He has not driven since and the impact is so significant he has sold the family car due to not being able to drive. He has been unable to drive his children to school and go food shopping.
"He says he understands police officers' roles carry a risk but he is a normal member of public and has a family and home life away from work."
Meanwhile other officers went to the travellers' site in Birtley, Gateshead, and deployed a stinger at the exit, which deflated all four tyres when Lee drove over it. He still made off but was boxed in by police vehicles.
He refused to open his locked driver's door so officers smashed his window but he refused to comply so was punched and pulled out. He complained of having glass in his eye and had to be taken to hospital. He was later found to be around twice the drink drive limit.
Lee, 26, of Drum Lane, Birtley, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, drink driving, having no insurance and resisting a constable. Jailing him for 18 months and banning him from driving for three years and nine months, Recorder Mark McKone KC told him: "The sergeant went to work that day in order to protect the public and you have changed his life through what you did.
"You are fortunate not to have been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. You were disqualified, in drink and caused a significant injury to a police officer."
Vic Laffey, defending, said: "He has never been to custody before. He is a traveller who lives on a travellers' site in Birtley. He runs his own business and has no financial issues.
"He expresses remorse and appreciates that although this is serious things could have been considerably worse and he appreciates the impact the offending appears to have had."
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