A man has been jailed after he admitted ramming a police officer on a motorcycle who tried to stop him speeding in a stolen car.

Martin Galbraith, 18, of Boscombe Avenue, Grays, was caught on camera driving straight into Pc Paul Hills at the Ferry Lane roundabout in Rainham.

Galbraith was today sentenced to six years imprisonment for attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance and having no driving licence when he appeared at Southend Crown Court.

He was also banned from driving for five years.

The dramatic footage released by Essex Police shows Pc Hills on the westbound A13 near Grays at about 2pm on Tuesday, January 27, when a BMW joined the road and sped into the outside lane.

The officer was in pursuit of the car as it reached speeds of up to 130mph.

Galbraith braked hard to pull into the inside lane and Pc Hills pulled in front and indicated the driver to follow him.

He followed the officer off the A13 and crashed into the motorcycle before being hit by a van.

The BMW then reversed and drove into Ferry Lane where it lost control and hit a wall.

Galbraith then ran off into a nearby industrial estate but was caught by a police helicopter and dog.

Police investigations later revealed that the BMW had been stolen in Manor Park in December and was being driven with false plates from another BMW. Galbraith bought the car for a cut price knowing it had been stolen.

Following the incident, Pc Hills was taken to Broomfield Hospital and treated for severe back pain.

After the hearing Insp Scott Egerton said: “Pc Hills is lucky to be alive. Galbraith clearly had no intention of stopping to answer questions about his speeding and not only rammed the back of the motorbike but also pushed it about 35 yards into the path of oncoming vehicles already on the roundabout.

“This was clearly an appalling case of a criminal who was prepared to stop at nothing to avoid detection for having a stolen car.

“Excellent teamwork between Essex officers and colleagues in the Metropolitan Police resulted in Galbraith being quickly found and arrested.

“We would also like to thank the members of the public who stopped to help Pc Hills when he was on the ground.”

He added: “Galbraith is a dangerous individual and the community is safer now that he is behind bars.”