A lorry driver, who put the life of a female police officer at risk by trying to jump Operation Stack, was sent to prison this morning.

The Lithuanian motorist had already been turned away when he tried to sneak ahead of the queue via the A2 in July shortly after 9pm.

The rebel driver returned minutes later ignoring an officer's attempt to stop him - and forced her to cling on to his lorry as he accelerated towards the port.

Police told Mitko Mitkov to join Operation Stack at Junction 8 of the M20 – and the 47-year-old driver headed off along the A20.

But minutes later he returned as PC Levett recognised his Polish-registered lorry and ordered him to stop.

A judge at Canterbury Crown Court heard how Mitkov ignored the officer’s clear signal to stop and accelerated towards her.

Prosecutor Jim Harvey said the PC- who was wearing Hi-Viz police clothing - moved out of the way.

“She then shouted instructions for him to stop while also banging on the side of the lorry. She managed to open the cab door – but the driver reacted by speeding up.”

The prosecutor said that the PC was then dragged off her feet and across a roundabout as Mitkov continued to accelerate.

“His vehicle was swerving towards the side where the officer was holding on. She continued to bang on the side of the lorry until she managed to jump clear, “ he added.

Mr Harvey said the PC wasn’t injured and radioed to colleagues and Mitkov was halted and arrested.

PC Levett later told how she feared for her safety while the driver ploughed on regardless to avoid having to join the queue on the M20.”

Ben Walker-Nolan, defending, said Mitkov was now extremely remorseful and wanted to apologise to the PC in person.

He said the driver had faced a “frustrating day” loading and unloading in Milton Keynes and was under pressure from his bosses to return to Lithuania.

“He made a bad and uncharacteristic decision and this was a complete lapse in judgement which he deeply regrets. This was a terrible mistake, “ the barrister added.

But Judge Adele Williams, in jailing him for a year, told Mitkov: “You behaved in a highly irresponsible fashion.

“I have no doubt that many drivers and others felt frustration and anger because of Operation Stack but most motorists behaved responsibly to the directions given by the police.

“But not only did you fail to comply with directions, you put the welfare of that officer in jeopardy – all because you wanted to jump the queue.”

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and told he will have to take an extended test before driving in the UK again.

Mitkov was also ordered to pay £1,000 court and victim surcharges.