Driver tried to hit officer

A DRIVER tried to mow down an officer and rammed a police car 50ft across a car park because he thought the officers chasing him could be carjackers.

Ricardo Ventura, from Edinbugh, evaded a police car for one-and-a-half miles before a stand-off in a car park, Ashford Magistrates' Court heard last week.

Rachael Laughland, prosecuting, said: "Having lived in South Africa until four months ago he said the police were often impersonated, and if you pulled over you were likely to be shot."

Ventura, 27, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to stop when required by a police officer.

He was remanded in custody until sentencing at at a later date.