A serial driving menace has been jailed after he rammed police cars in the centre of St Austell as he drove home while over the drink-drive limit from a wake in a stolen vehicle.

Disqualified driver Matthew Bradfield was spotted on CCTV driving the stolen Ford Ranger through the town last month.

Two police cars - one unmarked - blocked him in on East Hill but the 49-year-old then rammed both cars for around 23 seconds as he attempted to get away on March 6.

Police officers smashed Bradfield’s windscreen and used Tasers on him as they tried to stop him - but the barbs from the devices got stuck in his jacket – and they then used incapacitant spray on him.

Bradfield was eventually handcuffed and dragged from the large vehicle.

Truro Crown Court heard Bradfield, of High Street, St Austell, has 59 previous convictions for 170 offences - and 24 are vehicle-related for drunk-driving, driving while banned and dangerous driving - which the judge described as a “quite appalling record”.

In a police interview, Bradfield said he panicked during the incident and was disgusted with his driving when shown police body-worn camera footage from the scene.

Barrister Piers Norsworthy, defending, said Bradfield was “disgusted by his actions” and had been to a wake and was at twice the drink-driving limit - but he did not know the car had been stolen the day before.

Bradfield admitted dangerous driving, causing criminal damage to cars, drink-driving, driving while banned and having no insurance.

He was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for three years and five months.

Recorder John Trevaskis said: “You are right to be thoroughly ashamed of yourself.”

He said the prompt action of the police to box him in prevented a prolonged chase in a densely-populated area of the town.

The judge said Bradfield had attempted to smash his way past the police car in front of him without success as officers used Tasers and weapons to try to stop him.