A THIEF who mowed down two police officers as he drove a stolen car has been jailed for three years. Ian Fletcher, 26, of Holland Road, Harlesden, reversed at speed knocking one of the officers to the ground and dragged the other along by the car as they

A THIEF who mowed down two police officers as he drove a stolen car has been jailed for three years.

Ian Fletcher, 26, of Holland Road, Harlesden, reversed at speed knocking one of the officers to the ground and dragged the other along by the car as they tried to apprehend him in Edmonton, north London, in December last year.

Wood Green Crown Court heard despite clearly injuring the two policemen, Fletcher rammed into a police car that was blocking his escape route before fleeing the scene.

The car was found later that day.

The police officers pulled over the car Fletcher was driving after they were alerted to a vehicle in the area that was fitted with false number plates.

After pulling Fletcher over, one of the officers approached him with his warrant card but was knocked over when the thug reversed his car. another officer was dragged along and became trapped between the vehicle and a police car.

Luckily both men escaped serious injury.

Fletcher was snared after an investigation led detectives to a house in east London where he was arrested.

A witness came forward who identified Fletcher as being a man called 'Philip Jones' who tried to sell the stolen car to her.

The car had been used during a burglary in a house in Barnet.

Fletcher admitted assault with intent to resist arrest, aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, handling stolen goods and fraud by false representation.

Detective Sergeant Mike Martin, from Enfield Police, said: "He (Fletcher) not only endangered the lives of those officers but put the lives of every member of the public at risk.

"Fortunately my colleagues who courageously tried to arrest Fletcher did not sustain any serious injuries as a result of his reckless behaviour that day.

"I am happy that we have been able to put him before the courts and hope this sends a clear message to those who think they can evade police capture that you will be caught."

lorraine.king@archant.co.uk