A drug dealer who smashed into a police car as he tried to flee officers has been locked up.

Romel Fregis rammed into the patrol vehicle in Luton Road, Chatham, and then drove on the wrong side of the road after officers approached his car in February.

He was arrested shortly after in Dartford and found with £800 in cash in his trouser pocket, believed to have been earned through dealing class A drugs.

Fregis, of Eastcombe Avenue in Charlton, later pleaded guilty to the supply of heroin, possession of cannabis, dangerous driving and criminal damage.

He has now been jailed for two years and nine months.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how plain-clothed officers in an unmarked car attempted to stop Fregis after spotting his grey Vauxhall Astra in stationary traffic at about 3.30pm on February 12.

One shouted "police officers, stop" as he attempted to open the passenger door, which was locked.

"The supply of class A drugs is not a victimless crime as the lives of many people have been ruined by their addiction to harmful substances such as heroin" - DC Phoebe Hensman

Fregis then reversed into the police vehicle, drove forward and reversed into it again before moving out of the traffic and driving away on the wrong side of the road.

He was seen to drive through a red light and narrowly miss another vehicle coming through the junction, before driving away at speed in the direction of Luton Arches.

About 30 minutes later officers spotted Fregis’ car, which they brought to a stop in The Brent, Dartford, before placing him under arrest.

The next day, his home was raided and 57 wraps of heroin with an estimated street value of £1,000 were discovered in a drawer in his bedroom.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Phoebe Hensman said: "The supply of class A drugs is not a victimless crime as the lives of many people have been ruined by their addiction to harmful substances such as heroin.

"Romel Fregis has demonstrated scant regard for the welfare of those affected by his crimes, nor those who shared the road with him during his desperate attempts to avoid being arrested.

"His sentencing means there is one less drug dealer on the streets of Kent, and I hope this result sends a message to other dealers that we do not want you here and will not rest until you are caught."