A DRINK driver who deliberately smashed his car into a police officer as he attempted to avoid arrest has been jailed.

Steven Brodie drove straight towards the officer as he tried to swerve around a Stinger which had been deployed to stop him in his tracks.

The 32-year-old was spotted driving 'erratically and at speed' in his Renault Scenic on the A19 towards the A174 roundabout in May last year.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the police pursued the car after it almost overturned as it travelled at high speeds.

Camille Morland, prosecuting, told the court how Brodie sped through Stockton before an attempt was made to bring the chase to an end using a Stinger.

She said: "He slowed and swerved to avoid the Stinger but came into contact with the PC, he mounted the kerb and hit the officer causing him to spin in the air.

"The defendant's vehicle didn't stop, it was later discovered the Stinger had punctured three of its four tyres."

The court heard Brodie was boxed in by the pursuing police vehicles after reaching speeds in excess of 60mph in residential areas of Stockton where the speed limit is 30mph.

Ms Morland said Brodie suffered injuries as he attempted to resist officers as they apprehended him after a short chase on foot when a police dog was used to bring him down.

She added he was found to have 64 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the limit is 35 microgrammes.

The officer fortunately only suffered minor, soft tissue injuries, the court heard.

Brodie, of Honeysuckle Courtt, Stockton, admitted dangerous driving and causing assault occasioning actual bodily. He also pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, driving without insurance and resisting arrest.

Chris Morrison, in mitigation, said Brodie admitted the assault occasioning actual bodily harm charge on the basis of recklessness.

He said Brodie had also suffered injuries in the incident, including a broken wrist.

Mr Morrison added: "The night in question was a time of considerable difficulty for him.

"His relationship, as it was, was in meltdown there and then. He had had to cope with the loss of his relationship, the loss of his home and the estrangement from his two young children, four and six.

"The probation service acknowledge that he is a low risk overall of offending."

The judge, Recorder Jonathan Sandiford QC, told Brodie it was "miraculous" that the police officer had not suffered worse injuries than he did. He said: "You were out that night driving a vehicle, you must have known you had no insurance, you will have known you had a drink and were over the prescribed limit."

Brodie was sentenced to four years in prison and disqualified him from driving for five years.