WATCH: Reckless driver rams police after dramatic West Midlands chase
A reckless driver who drove at police after a four-mile chase has been jailed.
Michael Gaffey, aged 28, twice reversed his Volkswagen Polo into a police car and drove at an officer who was on foot during the pursuit.
He hit speeds of 80mph and forced fellow drivers to take evasive action as he attempted to escape police in the West Midlands.
WATCH the police chase here:
Police in an unmarked car tried to stop Gaffey who was seen speeding in Shirley just after 11.15pm on July 25.
Gaffey came to a stop in Tythe Barn Lane, Dickens Heath, but then reversed his car into the chasing police car.
But the officer managed to manoeuvre out of the way and started following the Polo again.
Gaffey then stopped on a walkway off Rumbush Lane, but reversed into the unmarked police car for a second time.
This caused the airbags to inflate, leaving the officers momentarily blinded by the powder.
However, despite suffering back and slight burn injuries, they quickly got out and tried to arrest Gaffey who was still in his car.
But Gaffey reversed towards one officer, forcing them to jump clear.
Gaffey then escaped the scene, abandoning his vehicle.
However police soon established that the Polo belonged to one of his associates.
Jailed
Gaffey, of no fixed address, was promptly established as the prime suspect and arrested.
He was convicted of dangerous driving, assault and having no insurance and was jailed for three years at Birmingham Crown Court last week.
He was also banned from the road for five-and-a-half years.
Pc Anne Butler, from West Midlands Police's Criminal Investigation Department at Solihull, said: "Gaffey’s reckless driving put lives, including those of police officers, at risk.
"But they refused to be deterred and thanks to their accounts, and those of other witnesses, we were able to trace Gaffey and put him behind bars."
