A MOTORIST?from Newton Abbot who rammed two police cars during a chase around a housing estate has been disqualified from driving for 18 months.

George Smith hit the first patrol car with a glancing blow after its crew tried to box him in and crashed into a second just moments later when it blocked the road.

The 23-year-old, who had no licence or insurance, drove off the road and onto a grass verge and pavement during the short pursuit in Torquay in February.

He only got a few hundred yards before police blocked the road and he hit a parked car and their vehicle before being stopped and arrested.

Smith, aged 23, of Torquay Road, Newton Abbot, admitted dangerous driving and was jailed for eight months, suspended for two years, and banned for 18 months by Recorder Mr Donald Tait at Exeter Crown Court.

He told him: ‘I appreciate that your life has changed since February. I am going to give you a chance today. If you do not take it, and you reoffend, you are going to be in serious trouble.”

Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said Smith was at the wheel of a VW Golf, etails of which had been circulated by police because of another incident two days before.

The car was seen in Torquay and a two-man crew tried to block it in on Willow Avenue on February 9 this year.

He said: ‘Both the driver and the passenger were fully aware of the police car but he reacted by pulling away, scuffing the front offside of the police vehicle in what the crew believed was a deliberate act.

‘The police followed and attempted to stop the Golf which got caught behind a silver vehicle on West Pafford Avenue until Smith mounted the grass verge on the nearside to get past it.

‘The Golf drove over a kerb as the car drove around another vehicle.

‘By this time a police armed response vehicle was blocking the road and Smith collided with it and another parked vehicle.

‘The driver was boxed in, arrested, and identified as Smith. The driving was over a short distance but the police took the view it was dangerous.’

Mr Paul Dentith, mitigating, said Smith has admitted the offence and made changes to his lifestyle since his arrest.

He has settled down with a partner and got a job as a cleaner.

He asked the judge to take into account a probation report which said Smith was not planning to drive any distance but agreed to help a friend move the car.