An officer was left with injuries after a traveller repeatedly rammed their police car.
30-year-old John Boy Sykes pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Swindon Crown Court on 21 July.
Police attempted to stop the defendant, of Easton Lane, Chippenham, following a report about this manner of driving in the Corsham area on 28 May 2021.
Instead of pulling over his van, he accelerated off at speeds in excess of 80mph towards Thingley.
As the vehicle approached a junction, it appeared to come to a stop – but Sykes reverse rammed the police vehicle which was behind him causing damage to the bonnet, before driving off once again.
He went on to reverse ram the police vehicle on two further occasions before he and a passenger decamped and fled on foot. Sykes was later found hiding on Thingley travellers site.
As a result, the police officer sustained injuries to his pelvis that required rehabilitation treatment.
He was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment and given a 24-month driving disqualification.
Sgt Mike Tripp said: “Sykes was intent on evading police and was adamant that nothing would stand in his way – he reversed at speed into the police car on several occasions before running from the scene and hiding at the Thingley Travellers Site.
“He caused extensive damage to the police vehicle and while it was fortunate that the police officer was not seriously injured, he did require rehabilitation treatment for pelvic injuries as a result of the incident.
“I’m pleased Sykes has been given a custodial sentence. Our officers work tirelessly to protect the public from dangerous individuals and incidents of this nature will not be tolerated.”
