by Keith Hunt

A thug who badly injured a woman police officer as he sped off in a car in an attempt to escape arrest has been jailed for three years.

PC Georgina Bryans was first dragged along by the VW Polo driven by Jonathan Cooper, ended up underneath it and landed on her head after being catapulted through the air.

The brave officer amazingly escaped without any broken bones or serious head injuries but was left in pain for some time and could not return to work on light duties for more than four months.

A judge told Cooper at Maidstone Crown Court: "The injuries will continue to have an impact on her. They could have been a great deal worse then they were."

The 32-year-old, of Sundridge Drive, Chatham, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to resist arrest and dangerous driving.

Cooper was also banned from driving for four years over the incident in Dombey Close, Higham, on August 22 last year