A DRIVER who forced two police officers to take evasive action to avoid being struck by his vehicle has been jailed.

Sam Searson, 26, was in the driver’s seat when he was told to exit the car by two officers in Musselburgh earlier this year.

Searson reversed his vehicle into a car behind him before driving off at speed, requiring PCs Lindsey Zevenster and Garry Mauran to jump out of the way. He then drove off at excessive speed and on the wrong side of the road before also going through a red light at the town’s Newbigging on April 12.

Searson appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to three offences and not guilty to a further four charges.

Co-accused Dylan Worrall, 24, admitted one charge of being in possession of a knife at Clydesdale Bank, High Street, Musselburgh, on April 17.

Sheriff Alison Stirling jailed both men, who appeared from custody and are both described as prisoners of HMP Edinburgh, for 18 months.

Searson pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle dangerously by failing to stop when required to do so, driving the vehicle at two police officers and driving at excessive speeds at Newbigging, Musselburgh on April 12.

He also admitted driving with no insurance and no valid driving licence on the same occasion.