CCTV shows driver reversing into officers - police

A driver has been jailed for 12 months after he mounted a pavement and collided with two officers, police said.

Dorset Police said the officers were called to Bournemouth town centre in the early hours of 1 January 2023.

They received reports of a man who appeared intoxicated sat in a grey Mercedes in old Christchurch Road, a force spokesperson said.

They said they approached Yussuf Mohamed Mire in his vehicle, asking him to switch off his engine, when he "grabbed the steering wheel and accelerated forward".

The 35-year-old, from London, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday and was sentenced after admitting dangerous driving, police said.

"He mounted the pavement, which was busy with pedestrians, and performed a U-turn," the spokesperson said.

"The two officers gave chase on foot and one attempted to pull Mire out of the car.

"Mire responded by reversing the car into the officers, knocking them out of the way.

"He then drove off through a pedestrianised area before eventually abandoning his vehicle in Hillside Drive in Christchurch and taking a taxi back to his address in London."

The force spokesperson said the two officers involved in the incident did not sustain serious injuries.

They added that Mire was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.