A MAN from Runcorn who drove his car at a police officer while on bail for a previous offence has been jailed.

Ian Barton, of St Pauls Close, was sentenced to 22 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday.

At about 12pm on December 27, 2017 police officers witnessed the 27-year-old driving his car through red lights at speed and crossing into a lane with oncoming traffic near to Whiston Hospital.

Approximately one hour later, Barton was arrested at his home on suspicion of dangerous driving and was charged and released on bail.

After Barton failed to attend Liverpool Crown Court on October 23, 2018, an officer in Widnes attempted to arrest him in a cul-de-sac on Southway at about 9pm on October 30.

After being told that there was a warrant out for his arrest, Barton refused to get out of his locked car and drove into the officer's vehicle and nearby parked cars, causing damage.

Fearing for his safety, the officer struck Barton's windscreen with his police baton, causing cracks to obstruct his view.

Barton then mounted a pavement, knocked over street furniture, hit a fence post and a gate and drove into the police car again.

He drove towards the officer, forcing him to jump out of the way, before he collided with more parked cars and attempted to flee on foot.

Barton was arrested on Montgomery Road where he found to be in the possession of cannabis.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving in relation to the incidents in Whiston and Widnes, admitted a charge of common assault by driving a car at a police officer, as well as being caught in possession of cannabis.

Barton was banned from driving for four years and 46 weeks and ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge as well as serve the 22 month prison sentence.

Detective constable, Vicki Abraham, said: “I welcome the sentence that has been handed to Barton and I hope that it acts as a warning for other potential offenders.

“Barton put the lives of innocent motorists at risk by driving at speed through red lights and into oncoming traffic in Whiston.

“And while on bail for his dangerous driving he put a police officer at risk of serious harm by driving his car at him as he attempted to evade arrest.

“Thankfully the officer was able to jump out of the way of Barton’s car and arrest him, but not before he had driven back and forth in an erratic manner numerous times and caused substantial damage to the officer’s vehicle and four parked cars.

“Through his dangerous and reckless actions Barton showed no regard for anyone else’s safety or property and he is now facing the consequences of his actions in the form of a fully justified custodial sentence.”