Two policemen were injured and police vehicles damaged during a chase through country lanes near Canterbury.

Daniel Dash had only been out of prison 12 days when, hyped up on drink and drugs, he stole a transit van then led police patrols through narrow streets and lanes in Wingham, Bramling, Ickham and Wickhambreaux before finally crashing into a hedge.

An officer had to punch Dash, 26, in the face to stop him racing off again.

When he was pulled out of the vehicle, he had a shard of glass lodged in his face near his eye and police gave him basic first aid before handcuffing him.

Dash’s driving had included reversing into a police car twice, the second time hitting the vehicle so hard, the air bags opened and PCs Christian Hunt and Lee Moat suffered minor injuries.

Dash, of Miller Avenue, Canterbury, had admitted aggravated vehicle taking on December 12 and two offences of assault causing actual bodily harm.

He was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court for a total of 18 months and banned for three years. He must take an extended test before regaining his licence.

The police were alerted when the van owner realised his vehicle was being driven away.

Officers first saw the van at 2.40am in Wingham High Street. They blocked the road but the van drove up onto the pavement round the police car and sped off.

Officers followed it along roads that were narrow, muddy and icy.

At one point the van stopped and reversed into the following police car before speeding off again.

Minutes later it skidded to a stop and again reversed into the car, this time much harder injuring the two officers who had seen smoke coming from the van wheels.

Another police vehicle then took up the chase but the van collided with a third on-coming police car before going into the hedge.

Dash had just been released from a nine months sentence for burglary when he took the van. He had other convictions for theft, disorderly behaviour and drugs.

His lawyer, Phil Rowley said Dash accepted there was no alternative to custody and his behaviour was related directly to drink and drugs.

Jailing Dash, Judge Anthony Webb said he was fortunate the injuries he caused were not more severe.

Before being jailed for burglary, Dash had told a probation officer he was keen to get help for his drug problem yet 12 days after release he was out of his mind on drink and drugs.

“I regard that as an aggravating feature,” said Judge Webb.

He warned Dash that if he continued on his present path, he faced a lifetime behind bars.