Driver rams police car during off-road chase before crashing into a tree and being arrested

This is the dramatic moment a reckless driver rammed a police car during an off-road chase before crashing into a tree.

Dash-cam footage shows Andrew James, 47, deliberately reversing the stolen Ford Fiesta into a police vehicle in a desperate bid to flee traffic officers down a dirt track in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

After bouncing along the track at high speed, the wanted man rammed into the squad car behind last October.

Footage from a police aircraft called to assist proved that James was alone in the car at the time.

James, of Sutton-in-Ashfield, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance. He was jailed for 20 months at Nottingham Crown Court.

Sergeant Karam Kaur, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: 'This was an appalling display of driving that could easily have led to a serious injury.

'James showed absolutely no regard for either the police officers following him, or the members of the public who may have been on this track as he drove along it.

'I am pleased he has now been jailed and hope this case sends out a clear message to others about the consequences of this kind of behavior.'