A gunman who shot a police officer through the hand has been jailed for 12 years.

Michael Olsen, 52, of Lavinia Road, Dartford, aimed a firearm PC Robert Wilson after he confronted him along with PC Mark Bird following a crash.

Fearing for his colleague's safety, PC Bird lunged at Olsen who then fired the gun, hitting the officer in the hand.

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Olsen has now been jailed after being found guilty of GBH with intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life and dangerous driving at the same court.

Inner London Crown Court heard PCs Bird and Wilson had been called to October 3 to reports that a Land Rover Freelander had crashed into a traffic island and several parked cars, before being abandoned in Westwood Lane, Welling.

A member of the public spoke to the first officers on scene and told them the driver of the car had walked off in the direction of Welling.

The officers drove down the road and found Olsen walking in nearby Wendover Way.

They pulled up alongside him and said they needed to speak to him, but he ignored them and carried on walking.

The officers then got out of their car and PC Wilson followed Olsen, while PC Bird repeated that police needed to speak to him.

Video: PCs Bird and Wilson confront Olsen

At this point Olsen, now standing just six feet away, turned round, pointed a firearm at PC Wilson and threatened him.

It was then that PC Bird lunged at Olsen, who then shot him in the hand.

Both officers restrained Olsen, disarming him and arresting him. A bag of bullets were found in his pocket.

He was taken into custody where he denied knowing the firearm was genuine, claiming he thought it was a toy.

Speaking after the sentencing last Friday, DC Toby Carroll said: "Olsen showed a reckless disregard throughout the evening of October 3.

"It is only by chance that his decision to brandish and discharge a firearm at unarmed officers did not have fatal consequences, as could his behaviour behind the wheel of his car.

"His claim that the firearm was a toy was little more than pathetic. He will now spend a considerable time behind bars as a result of his actions."

Borough Commander of Bexley Jeff Boothe added: "This incident highlights the dangers that police officers can face as they go about their job.

"PC Mark Bird and PC Robert Wilson, knowing they were faced with a man in possession of a firearm, did not shirk from their duty to protect Londoners.

"They bravely confronted this man, disarmed him and arrested him - I cannot praise their courage enough."