Drink-driver dragged PC along road (From Daily Echo)

Drink-driver drove at high speed and dragged PC along road

3:00pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in News By John Hoskins, Court Reporter

A POLICE officer was dragged along the ground by a car and a colleague had to jump out of the way after they stopped a drinkdriver on a housing estate.

Sam Jackson, 19, also wrote off a parked car after taking his mum’s vehicle without her knowledge to go out with friends.

But shortly before 3am the teenage welder drove at high speed in the middle of the road towards police in Hythe.

Prosecutor Eileen Sproson told Southampton Cown Court that after Jackson had stopped in front of their van, PC Gary Kimber took hold of the Ford Mondeo’s door handle.

Jackson suddenly reversed, dragging the officer along the ground and hitting two parked cars..

With his tyres spinning, Jackson then accelerated forwards and PC Matthew Kirby had to jump out of his way.

The Mondeo stopped at a junction and the occupants fled, but Jackson got caught on barbed wire fencing.

He was arrested and had to be freed by the fire service before being treated in hospital for cuts.

Jackson, of Starlings Square, Eastleigh, admitted aggravated vehicle taking and driving away, dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol, without a full licence and insurance.

Judge Peter Henry jailed Jackson for ten months with a two-year disqualification.

Mieko Bond, defending, said Jackson had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had acted out of character.