Driver who dragged Pc jailed

A yob who reversed his uninsured car into a policeman and dragged him along the ground before ploughing into a patrol car has been locked up for more than two years.

Notorious Richard Willington, whose criminal record was described as "truly remarkable" by a judge, launched the attack after officers recognised him parked by the roadside and stopped for a routine check.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how he was banned from driving at the time and deliberately jammed the car into reverse.

Prosecuting, Mr Anthony Johnson said: "As the officer tried to turn off the engine, the defendant reversed with such speed the driver's door knocked the Pc to the ground, on to his elbows and dragged him along.

"By then another officer had turned up in a marked police car. The defendant then drove into the police vehicle."

Mr Johnson said the officers suffered cuts, bruises and muscle damage.

Mr Eugene Hickey, defending, said the 19-year-old did not realise the first officer was a policeman as he was in an unmarked car.

Willington, of Glenfield, Pendeford, has previously been given two ASBOs and his convictions include robbery, battery, dangerous driving, driving with no insurance, driving while disqualified and drug offences.

Yesterday he admitted dangerous driving, assault, driving without insurance and while disqualified and was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders' institution and disqualified from driving for three years.

Willington and Damien Allen, 21, of Banstead Close, Parkfields, were also each sentenced to nine months after pleading guilty to a separate assault.

They dragged victim Andrew Burton out of his girlfriend's car before kicking and punching him, shouting: "Give us £50".

Recorder Nigel Baker told Willington: "You have accumulated a truly remarkable record in your short 19 years."

By Elizabeth Joyce