Man jailed for driving towards officer twice before sparking 80mph pursuit

Elliot Flynn, 21, was sentenced to ten months imprisonment on Monday (March 5) at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, and failing to provide a blood sample.

The court heard he had also breached a suspended sentence order he received for assaulting his mother.

On February 2 at around 9.30pm, Police Constable John Price followed Flynn and his four passengers into the car park of a pub in St Helens, Merseyside, before blocking him in and asking for his keys.

Flynn spun the steering wheel to the left in full lock and reversed, forcing the officer to discharge Taser to prevent the driver from colliding with him.

He then drove towards the officer twice. Body-worn footage shows the officer having to leap across the bonnet of his own patrol car to avoid being hit.

The Volkswagen Golf struck the police car before Flynn sped off, narrowly avoiding a woman and her two children.

A short while later, another officer was involved in an 80mph pursuit of Flynn’s vehicle, and he was later arrested at his own home.

Inspector Phil Cowin said it was only through “good fortune” that PC Price and the woman and children nearby were not injured during the incident.

“As can be seen in the body worn footage, PC Price was forced to jump out of the way to avoid being trapped between his own car and Flynn’s,” he added.

“I hope the time he will now spend behind bars will give Flynn time to reflect on the consequences of his actions.

“Anyone who takes to the roads illegally and poses a danger to pedestrians and other motorists risks serving a prison sentence, being banned form driving and losing their licence. My message to these people is ask yourself – is it worth the risk?

“This case is another reminder that our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the public of Merseyside, and I’d like to thank PC Price for his efforts.”