A YOUNG banned motorist was accused of “dicing” with the life of a police officer who tried to prevent him driving any further, following a short chase.

Police spotted James Alan Carruthers in a Volkswagen Golf, minus its front registration plate, which they had been following in the Ferryhill area a short time earlier in mid-to-late morning on November 16.

Durham Crown Court heard the Golf was in a cul-de-sac and, as the police approached, it went onto a grass verge and reversed into a parked van, causing front end damage.

Jonathan Harley, prosecuting, said it stalled, so one of the officers emerged from the police car and tried to prevent it being re-started by Carruthers.

The officer smashed the driver’s side window and tried to reach in to remove the ignition key, but Carruthers repeatedly struck his arm, while still attempting to start the Golf.

Mr Harley said the officer was hanging onto the open door while still trying to reach into the car to remove the key.

The Golf pulled forward at speed so the officer had to fling himself from the car to avoid getting dragged underneath.

Mr Harley said the officer suffered cuts to his wrist, pain in his leg among other injuries.

The Golf managed to weave its way out of Bowness Grove and was driven away but was later found abandoned in the rear garden of an address in Commercial Street, West Cornforth.

Carruthers was in the property, wearing the same clothing as the Golf driver earlier.

He was arrested and claimed a male had come into the house demanding they swap clothes.

Carruthers claimed when that man left, he discovered his own car outside in a damaged state.

But, appearing before magistrates days later, Carruthers, 27, now of High Street, West Cornforth, admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to stop for police, no insurance and assaulting an emergency worker.

The court heard he has two previous dangerous driving offences on his record and was subject of a suspended prison sentence, for other motoring matters, at the time.

Zoe Passfield, mitigating, said Carruthers was driving to work as a welder, knowing he was still banned, and, seeing police, he feared being caught.

But, Judge Jonathan Carroll told Carruthers, judging by his record, he has “track history” for such offending.

“This was a disgraceful example of dangerous driving, all in a built-up, residential area. You were dicing with the life of that officer, which is an appalling and significant aggravating feature.”

Judge Carroll imposed a 17-month prison sentence and banned Carruthers from driving for two years and eight-and-a-half months.