Driver reversed in to police van in Wolverhampton
A driver made off after reversing into a police van when officers smelled cannabis in his vehicle, a court heard.
Police approached Baldeep Bains when they saw him parked in Pond Lane in All Saints, Wolverhampton with a group of men gathered around his Vauxhall Corsa.
As they got out of their van and approached Bains, he 'panicked' and backed into their vehicle, Wolverhampton Magistrates Court was told.
The 26-year-old drove off and was later arrested when officers did a search on their database for his details using his car registration. Mr Mark Cooper, prosecuting said officers originally came across his car on July 21 and could smell cannabis coming from the vehicle.
He added: "The officers were getting out of the car when it reversed and collided with the police car."
The police van was left dented in the smash. Mr Sundip Murriah, defending, said: "The defendant did not appreciate that the best thing for him to do was remain at the scene."
Bains, of Lower Villiers Street, Blakenhall, admitted failing to stop after an accident and driving without reasonable consideration to others. He pleaded not guilty to failing to report the accident. That charge was then dropped.
Bains was given a 12-month community order and told to do 40 hours of unpaid work. Eight penalty points were put on his licence and he must pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
