DRUNKEN driver Shaun Turner rammed a police car after celebrating his birthday in a day-long pub crawl.

A beat officer who signalled him to stop as he careered around Bromyard town centre had to jump out of the way.

The 24-year-old - who had abused alcohol since the age of ten - then tried to escape from a patrol car but it blocked the road to prevent him.

He was arrested at the scene and found to be over twice the drink-drive limit, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Turner, of Sparrington council houses, Pencombe, Bromyard, was jailed for 18 months. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drink-driving and having no insurance or driving licence.

He had five previous convictions for driving while disqualified and two for taking cars without consent.

Stop signal

Prosecutor Malcolm Parkes said a policeman in Bromyard's High Street signalled him to stop around 1am on August 6 last year.

Turner ignored him and as the officer leapt out of the car's path it struck his lamp sending it flying into the air.

He tried to drive around the patrol car but hit it after it blocked his way. His breath-alcohol reading was 88 compared with a legal limit of 35.

Mr Dele Alakija, defending, said he had been introduced to alcohol by his father at a young age and could not leave drink alone. He had consumed different types of drinks throughout the day.

Turner believed he had plenty of room to pass the officer and was full of remorse for putting him in danger.

Judge David McEvoy QC told the defendant he was in 'a haze of alcohol' and that only 'by the grace of God' had someone not been killed or injured.

He also banned Turner for three years and ordered him to take an extended driving test before going back on the road.