An uninsured driver who tried to get away from police deliberately reversed the vehicle he was driving into a patrol car.

Russell Woolnough, 22, was seen by officers driving a Ford KA around Gravesend during the early hours and when they tried to pull him over, he failed to stop.

Woolnough, of Jubilee Crescent, Gravesend, then led officers on a chase across the town and at times, drove at speeds of 60mph in 40mph zones.

He hit kerbs, drove on the wrong side of the road and hit a police car and another vehicle, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

He was eventually stopped when police tried to carry out a box manoeuvre on him, but he still tried to get away by reversing his car into theirs. He was then arrested.

Woolnough appeared before Medway magistrates and admitted dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance but denied driving whilst unfit though drugs.

Magistrates were told the drug charge was being withdrawn as a result.

Woolnough also admitted other offences relating to crimes he committed last year including taking a Suzuki motorcycle without the owner’s consent and riding it around London Road, Gravesend without insurance and a licence.

The court heard he had asked to borrow the bike but never took it back.

He also admitted failing to surrender to custody when he failed to show up for a court appearance last year.

James Nichols prosecuting, said there were three other people in the Ford KA when Woolnough dangerously drove in roads including Range Road and Denton Street, in September.

Mr Nichols said: “He caused £3,000 of damage to the police vehicle and £1,200 of damage to another vehicle. The chase lasted nine minutes.”

The court also heard that as a result, he was recalled to prison to serve the rest of a sentence he had been given after being convicted of grievous bodily harm, assault on police and threatening behaviour.

Simon Holmes, defending said: “He is in custody for the foreseeable future and is not due for release until January 10, 2018. He has mental health issues.

“The bulk of his previous convictions are for theft and related to a cannabis addiction.”

Magistrates decided to send the cases to Maidstone Crown Court to be dealt with. A date for sentencing has yet to be fixed.