Video: Pedestrians dive for cover as car speeds along Whitby street

Jeffrey O’Connell, 30, rammed into a police car before fleeing down a one-way street when officers tried to stop his silver Audi.

He then did a three-point turn before mounting the pavement and driving off in the wrong direction down Pier Road, forcing 15 people to jump out of the way.

During the incident last March, O’Connell also smashed into a seating area outside a bar, causing £2000 worth of damage.

The Audi was later found abandoned on nearby John Street.

Officers found O’Connell’s DNA on the driver’s door and he was later arrested and charged with dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving with no insurance and failing to stop for police.

O’Connell, of Saltersgill Avenue, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty at York Crown Court and was jailed for 12 months and disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Constable Paul Moon of North Yorkshire Police said: “O’Connell is extremely fortunate that he didn’t kill someone and isn’t facing a much longer prison sentence.

“What he did was completely reckless and he showed a blatant disregard for the safety of the general public.

“Numerous people had to dive out of his way to avoid being seriously hurt and I am glad that O’Connell has now been punished for his dangerous actions.”