A special constable was dragged 30 yards along the road by a motorist who drove off after being asked to take a breath test, a court heard last Thursday.

Special Constable, Mark Hill, was bruised and shaken by the incident which happened in Warren Road, Braintree.

Craig Wilding, 27, of Guelphs Lane, Thaxted, admitted charges of dangerous driving, causing bodily harm and driving with excess alcohol.

He was jailed for two years, disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to take an extended driving test.

Stephen Rose, prosecuting at Chelmsford Crown Court, said late at night on February 20 last year Wilding was seen driving an Astra car erratically in Cressing Road, Braintree.

Police saw the vehicle turn into Warren Road where it mounted a pavement and came to a stop by a garden wall.

An officer spoke to Wilding and returned to the police car to collect some breath test equipment. Special Constable Hill stayed with Wilding who climbed back into the driver's seat.

Mr Hill tried to prevent him driving away, but the car drove off.

The officer lost his footing and was dragged along the road for 30 yards before he rolled to the ground. He got back into the police car which gave chase. Wilding abandoned the car, but was chased and arrested.

A breath test showed he had 60 microgrammes of alcohol in his blood, nearly twice the legal limit.

When interviewed, Wilding said he had been drinking vodka the previous evening and had no memory of the incident.

Nicola May, mitigating, said Wilding had drunk a lot of alcohol after an argument with his girlfriend. He was shocked at his behaviour.

Judge Gareth Hawkesworth told Wilding: "It's the duty of the courts to protect police officers who are going about their lawful business.

It's a miracle Special Constable Hill was not more seriously injured."

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