A drug dealer who struck two officers with his car while attempting to flee the police has been jailed.

Eglant Lleshi, who was “thinking only of evading justice” has been sent to prison for more than five years following the “appalling incident”.

In the early hours of September 17, 2020, three officers were on patrol when they spotted a Ford Kuga parked on Common Road in Blue Bell Hill near Chatham.

They stopped and spoke to the driver, Lleshi, and a woman in the passenger seat.

Suspecting the pair to be in possession of drugs, they were detained for a search and the passenger was escorted from the car.

But Lleshi became uncooperative and suddenly started up the Kuhga and reversed into one of the officers.

A second constable who had been standing next to the car was also injured as she tried to restrain Lleshi through an open door.

He ran over the first officer a second time, before driving in a dangerous manner from the scene.

Further patrols attended and the Ford was found abandoned around two miles away.

In the footwell, officers found packets of cocaine inside a plastic container.

These were later analysed and found to have a value of between £1,000 and £2,000.

Investigators were later able to prove Lleshi had been involved in the supply of drugs.

An investigation found Lleshi had left the UK shortly after the incident.

A European Arrest Warrant was issued and he was arrested in Italy on April 5, 2023, and extradited.

At Maidstone Crown Court, Lleshi, from northern Italy, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, dangerous driving, and possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

Today, (Wednesday, November 22), the 28-year-old was sentenced to five years and four months’ imprisonment.

He will also be disqualified from driving for 25 months on his release.

Detective Constable Alex Peacock of Kent Police’s major crime unit said: “This was an appalling incident and it is only by chance that we are not dealing with a fatality.

“Lleshi showed total disregard for the safety of the officers he struck with his car, thinking only of evading justice.

“He fled the country while the two constables received medical attention for their injuries, with one requiring ongoing treatment.

“Lleshi thought he had avoided arrest but he did not account for the determination of Kent Police’s investigators to track him down. He is now, quite rightly, serving a prison sentence.”