A car thief who knocked down a police officer in an attempt to escape has been jailed for 40 months.

Detective Constable Ian Clenahan was thrown over the bonnet and roof of the car and left lying in the road stunned and dazed as Steven Rawlinson drove off.

At Exeter Crown Court on Friday, Rawlinson, of no fixed address, was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and admitted aggravated vehicle taking.

The court heard the incident happened in Paignton after three detectives went to find Rawlinson who had been reported in a stolen vehicle.

When Mr Clenahan went to stop the vehicle, Rawlinson drove towards him with his wheels spinning.

Despite taking avoiding action, the officer was hit by the car but escaped with only cuts and bruises.

Rawlinson was on parole at the time of the incident and his counsel Rupert Taylor said he was not intending to run down the detective.

He said he was attempting to avoid capture because he was in a stolen car.

Sending him to prison Judge Ian McIntosh said the offence involving the police officer was extremely serious and it was very lucky for Rawlinson that he had suffered only minor injuries.