A MAN has been jailed for more than six months after ploughing into a police car and driving without a license.

Jorge Hammond, 23, of Everest Way, Heybridge, was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison after he admitted a string of driving offences.

On Tuesday March 6, Hammond was seen driving a Mini Cooper around the Hillary Close area with passengers inside.

Police officers were told that he only held a provisional driving licence and additionally had no insurance for the vehicle.

When officers approached the scene at 8.35pm, Hammond drove into the marked police car, causing damage to its bumper.

He then left the scene. Police later received reports that the vehicle had been abandoned in Little Totham.

Upon arresting Hammond later that evening officers found a car key belonging to the vehicle.

He was remanded in custody and on Thursday Hammond appeared at Chelmsford Magistrate’s Court where he admitted four driving offences.

The charges were aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving, using a motor vehicle on the road or a public place without third party insurance and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

The court sentenced Hammond to prison for 26 weeks and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.

After the 18 months has passed, a provisional driving licence will have to be reapplied for and an extended test must be taken.

Sergeant Colin Shead, from Essex Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Not only did Hammond flagrantly commit a number of driving offences which put himself, his passengers and members of the public in danger, but he also damaged a police car in the process of trying to get away.

“Luckily, nobody was injured, but it could have been a different turn of events.

“This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and we will catch up you.”