A teenage drug dealer rammed a police car while trying to escape from officers, forcing an innocent passer-by to flee to safety.

Kai Austen, from Tunbridge Wells, narrowly avoided hitting a member of the public when he was trying to evade police in his white Range Rover in December last year.

The 19-year-old was wanted in connection with several drugs supply offences in the town after DNA matched him to packages containing cannabis and cocaine.

After being originally arrested in September, when a phone which showed further evidence of his criminal network was seized, he was bailed.

However, after breaching bail conditions police were on the look out for him and traced him to an area in Hastings Road, Flimwell, Sussex, where the incident happened.

Austen was at the wheel when he tried to flee the scene after seeing three patrol officers.

He managed to weave past a couple of vehicles before colliding with a police car and forcing a member of the public to run to safety.

In total, he caused damage to three police vehicles.

Austen, of Summervale Road, Tunbridge Wells, was eventually detained after officers used batons to smash a car window and disable the engine.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to two counts of being concerned in the supply of drugs, as well as a further four charges for possession with intent to supply drugs.

He also admitted dangerous driving, three counts of assault on emergency workers, three counts of criminal damage, and possessing a knife in a public place.

On November 14, Austen was sentenced to three years and six months’ in prison at a young offender institution.

Sergeant Ed Kavanagh, of the Tunbridge Wells Community Policing Team, said: "Kai Austen was running an extensive drugs supply network to users in and beyond Tunbridge Wells.

"He is a dangerous individual, as clearly evidenced by the contempt and utter disregard he has shown to the safety of the police officers who he deliberately drove at.

"His reckless actions also caused considerable distress and danger to a member of public who only escaped serious injury by the smallest of margins.

"I can assure residents we will continue to do everything within our powers to pursue drug dealers like Austen, whose actions ultimately cause profound problems and suffering, and leave communities bearing the brunt of linked criminality such as violence and anti-social behaviour."