A man who deliberately reversed a van into a police car three times, injuring two officers, has been jailed.

William Phipps pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to assault and dangerous driving.

Officers in a marked police vehicle were on patrol in Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks on April 27 when they saw a Ford Transit van driven by Phipps travelling in the opposite direction.

The patrol car turned around to follow the van at which point Phipps turned into Camden Road and started speeding away.

The officers requested the 38-year-old to stop by by turning on their sirens but Phipps continued.

He stopped the van in Shoreham Lane but then reversed and hit the front of the patrol car.

He drove off and was chased the officers, stopped again, and reversed into their car for a second time.

Phipps attempted to reverse into the officers a third time but they were able to get out of the way.

The van continued into Hitchen Hatch Lane and went through a red traffic light, barely avoiding members of the public.

At this point Phipps stopped and reversed into the patrol car once again, causing the airbags to activate.

He drove from the scene leaving one officer with a back injury and the second with an injured neck.

Both were later taken to hospital for medical attention.

Phipps was identified as the driver and was arrested later that morning at his home address in Hillingdon Rise, Sevenoaks.

He was later charged and was sentenced on July 12 to one year in prison.

He will be disqualified from driving for two years and will be required to take an extended retest.

Investigating officer, PC Nicholas Maycock, said:"‘Phipps drove in a reckless manner without any thought for the harm he could cause to other road users and, by deliberately ramming the police car three times, he showed no regard for the serious injury he might have caused the two officers.

"It is right that he should spend time in jail for his appalling behaviour."