A POLICEMAN was dragged alongside a car as he tried to arrest a driver who had been banned from the roads 30 times.

Officers approaching a set of traffic lights in Gateshead on December 14 last year recognised Robert Ainsley, 38, behind the wheel of a nearby Nissan.

But when one officer tried to speak to Ainsley and tried to grab the ignition key, the lights turned green and Ainsley drove off with the officer trailing alongside.

Christopher Mitford, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "Ainsley carried on with the PC's arm through the window and into the vehicle. He was planning on getting the keys through the window.

"He was carried only for a short distance and was forced to let go and jump clear to avoid injury."

A chase then followed, with Ainsley swerving from left to right, driving on the wrong side of the road, through red lights and at 60mph in a 30mph zone.

The chase was eventually abandoned but Ainsley was arrested a short time later.

Ainsley, of Stoddart Street, South Shields, admitted dangerous driving and driving while disqualifed.

He has a string of previous convictions going back 20 years, including 30 previous convictions for driving while disqualified and three for dangerous driving.

Andrew Walker, defending, said Ainsley has a genuine interest in vehicles and car parts.

Judge Beatrice Bolton sentenced Ainsley to 15 months behind bars and disqualified him from driving for three years.