Man jailed for driving at police in Seavington St Michael

A man has been jailed after driving a vehicle at officers and into police cars in Somerset.

Matthew Reyland was sentenced on Wednesday 8 January after pleading guilty to multiple offences.

Officers attended his property in Seavington St Michael during the early hours of Sunday 6 October while carrying out unrelated enquiries into a missing person.

The 38-year-old was subject of a warrant and sought to flee the scene in a Mitsubishi pick-up, making contact with two officers in the process. One of the officers was hit by a wing mirror while trying to turn the ignition off through an open window.

An officer's bodyworn camera captured footage that shows him almost colliding with other officers and people at the scene. Fortunately nobody sustained any serious injury.

Reyland subsequently drove into a parked motorhome and attempted to force his way past the stationary police vehicles. He was initially unsuccessful but was able to ram his way through.

He was arrested the next day.

Reyland pleaded guilty to the following charges and sentenced at Taunton Crown Court, sitting at North Somerset Courthouse:

• Two counts of common assault of an emergency worker

• Two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker

• Two counts of criminal damage to police vehicles

• Aggravated vehicle taking

• Use of a motor vehicle without third-party insurance

Reyland received a 16-month prison sentence and has been disqualified from driving for two years and eight months.

Inspector Paul Hayward said: "Matthew Reyland's actions were incredibly dangerous. The officers were there carrying our important enquiries into a missing person and were fortunate to escape serious injury.

"It is right he has received a custodial sentence and driving disqualification."

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.