A MOTORIST who rammed a police car twice in an effort to escape was jailed for 15 months yesterday.

Released prisoner John Robert Hindmarsh also drove across a roundabout to avoid a police stinger mat, designed to puncture tyres.

An officer in the rammed car suffered neck and shoulder injuries before Hindmarsh, 27, was caught after a chase on foot, said Patricia Mancina, prosecuting.

Hindmarsh, of Keilder Close, Redcar, had been released from prison less than three weeks earlier from a six-year sentence for robbery and drugs offences when police spotted his speeding car in Grangetown, Teesside.

He ignored their signals to stop when he reached speeds of 70mph in 30 and 40mph areas, and drove the wrong way along a dual carriageway and across the middle of a roundabout twice, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Courts issued three warrants before he finally appeared before them. He was liable to go back to prison for 675 days, said Miss Mancina.

Jamie Hall, defending, said Hindmarsh panicked because he did not want to go back to jail. He said: "He was having some difficulties readjusting to life on the outside and he, perhaps, did not quite give thought to his actions.

"He was driving without a licence and insurance, and had he stopped it may very well be that he would have kept his liberty."

He was also ordered to pass an extended test before driving again.