Thief who rammed police is jailed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7294255.stm

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A car thief who injured four police officers when he rammed their Land Rover has been jailed for 18 months.

Samuel Crawford, 20, of Glasgow Street, Belfast, stole the car last July after smashing the window of a house in Newtownabbey and taking the keys.

He was chased through the Shankill and Forthriver areas before driving head-on into the PSNI vehicle at Harmony Lane.

Crawford reversed away but slipped down an embankment. He ran off but was caught a short distance away.

Belfast Crown Court was told the police officers suffered whiplash injuries.

Crawford pleaded guilty to aggravated car theft, driving while disqualified, burglary and driving without insurance.

As well as the 18-month jail term, he must serve a further year on probation and a five-year driving ban.

Judge Patrick Lynch QC told Crawford he had a "terrible record" and warned him that if he did not stop offending "you will undoubtedly spend longer and longer periods of your life in prison".