A DRIVER who crashed into a police car during a city centre chase has been jailed.

John King, 34, drove on the wrong side of the road and refused to stop even after the bonnet of his car flew up, blocking his view.

Officers had to use CS spray to get him out of the vehicle when he finally came to a stop after crashing into a BMW.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how King was pulled over by police after he was seen driving his Nissan Micra erratically through Newcastle.

Ian Graham prosecuting, told the court King fled after realising he would be asked to produce blood to be tested for alcohol.

He said: " He did a U-turn and was swerving all over the road.

"The police positioned themselves to provide a barrier but he drove into the police car and on to a pedestrian crossing on the wrong side of the road."

King, of Toronto Square, Sunderland, was jailed for 15 months after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen of blood and failing to stop after an accident.

Judge Esmond Faulks said: "It is fortunate that no member of the public was killed or seriously hurt.

"You are very lucky not to be in the dock facing a charge of causing death by dangerous driving."