A DRINK-driver reversed four times into a police car during a pursuit, a court heard.

Shaun Eldred was jailed for 12 months at Bolton Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving without a licence or insurance.

Michael Blakey, prosecuting, told the court how, on March 20, Eldred borrowed a friend’s Peugeot 307 car, but as he drove around Little Lever he was spotted by police in an unmarked Audi A3 car.

Police chased him but when the vehicles reached Aintree Road, Eldred stopped and reversed into the Audi.

He repeated the manoeuvre three more times, causing damage estimated at £2,000 to the police vehicle before hitting another police car which attempted to block his path.

Eldred managed to get away but then turned into York Avenue, smashing through a fence and wooden gates belonging to a house at the head of the cul-de-sac. He was arrested in the back garden.

The court heard Eldred, aged 30, of Victory Road, Little Lever, has an extensive criminal record, including two previous drink-driving convictions.

On this occasion he was more than three times over the drink-drive limit.

Andrew Costello, defending, said Eldred, who is father to a young child, has now reflected on his behaviour and realises he has an alcohol problem.

Judge Timothy Stead sentenced him to 12 months in prison and banned him from driving for three years after which he will have to take an extended driving test.

“It is somewhat surprising — you are 30 years of age and still behaving in a way which brings you to court,” he told Eldred.