A BANNED driver rammed a police van in an attempt to escape because he had been drinking, a court heard yesterday.

Paul Harland was given a nine-month prison sentence, but had already served the equivalent while on remand.

Judge Peter Armstrong also disqualified the 22-year-old for a further three years and ordered him to take an extended driving test before being allowed back on the road.

Harland, of Bailey Rise, Peterlee, admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, without insurance and failing to provide a breath sample.

Teesside Crown Court heard how police tried to stop Harland in his G-reg Ford Escort in Hartlepool shortly after midnight on October 15 last year after he drove through a red light.

But he sped off at speeds of up to 50mph, eventually mounting a pavement and crashing into a tree.

A police van pulled up behind the car to wedge it in, and an officer had to use CS spray when Harland refused to turn off the engine. Instead, he repeatedly reversed into the van until he made a big enough gap to escape.

Police called off their chase, but later arrested Harland at a nearby house where they heard him tell a friend he had been sprayed.