A drink driver who rammed a police car and drove at an officer has been jailed.

James Rowson, of Merleburgh Drive, Kemsley, was sentenced to 44 weeks in prison when he appeared at Guildford Crown Court.

The 21-year-old, who pleaded guilty at a earlier hearing to drink driving, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without a licence, and assault, was also banned from driving for a year, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £100 and a criminal courts charge of £90.

It happened on June 21 when Surrey Police received a report from a member of the public at 11.15pm about a vehicle being driven the on the wrong side of the road in Caterham.

The witness also reported seeing him stop and get out with a can of beer in his hand before driving off again.

An officer on patrol in the area began following Rowson after seeing his car drive towards her on the wrong side of the road in Chaldon.

She caught up with him in Redhill as he was reversing back and forth trying to get on to the A23, but was hindered by a grass bank in the way.

As she drove towards him he rammed her vehicle several times, yet she still managed to block his access onto the road.

When he stopped, the officer got out of her vehicle but as she made her way towards him he drove at her; fortunately she managed to jump back into the car to avoid serious injury.

Rowson ran off from the area and knocked on the door of a house in Merstham but due to his drunken behaviour was told to go away and police were called.

This helped officers trace him to an area of undergrowth on the edge of the M23.

When arrested he gave a reading of 79 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35mg.

Investigating officer PC Michael Baker said: “James Rowson showed a complete disregard for his and anybody else’s safety that day, and put a police officer’s life in danger when driving towards her.

“Fortunately the officer escaped any injury and was able to assist others in seeing that Rowson was tracked down nearby.

“This is a clear reminder that alcohol and driving do not mix and can have serious consequences.”

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