A BANNED driver who caused a police patrol car to crash on a Worcester street has been jailed for two years.

Craig Wright shouted, “I wasn’t there” and had to be restrained by dock officers after the jury’s unanimous verdict before being taken to the cells.

He claimed he was at a Guy Fawkes bonfire on Pitchcroft racecourse on the night police chased a Ford Focus in the Warndon area.

Wright did a handbrake turn and slewed the car across Avon Road, causing the pursuing police car to crash into it, said Stephen Davies, prosecuting.

He ran from the vehicle and escaped down an alley but was identified by PC Leon Westwood, the patrol car passenger, who had seen photographs of Wright.

The jury at Worcester Crown Court convicted 28-year-old Wright – who was staying with friends in Teme Road, Worcester, at the time – of dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

He had 10 previous convictions for flouting driving bans and a total of 48 crimes on his record.

Mr Davies said he was currently serving the unexpired part of a prison licence after being sentenced to five years in jail for possession of a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition.

He also had convictions for drugs and violence.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC, who also gave Wright a three-year road ban, said he had an appalling criminal record for his age and had “paid no regard” in the past to driving disqualifications.

Luckily, no one was injured in the crash.

Defence counsel Carmen Wilde said Wright, of Wellingford Avenue, Widnes, Cheshire, had no prospect of release from his prison licence until November next year when a parole board would determine the exact date he is freed.

She said his partner and two young children would suffer from his absence.