A Co Armagh man who reversed into a police vehicle injuring the driver and passenger during a chase lasting 37 minutes, has been handed a five-month jail sentence, suspended for three years.

Prosecuting counsel at Dungannon Magistrates Court said police on mobile patrol at Derryfubble Road, Dungannon, activated lights and sirens to stop a white Ford Transit pick-up but it failed to stop.

The prosecutor said that during the 37-minute chase, Kyle Coulter, aged 40, of Markethill Road, Portadown, attempted to ram police vehicles on two more occasions, drive on the wrong side of the road, and it took two 'stings' by police to finally bring it to a stop at Killylea Road, Caledon.

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The lawyer said during interview, Coulter told police that he had panicked and was remorseful for his actions.

Defence solicitor Donal Heron said the custodial threshold has been passed and Coulter has been living under that realisation since his arrest and had brought a bag with him to court for each of his appearances.

Mr Heron said the pre-sentence report indicated that he remains remorseful for his behaviour and empathised with his victims.

He pointed out Coulter is a father of two young children and his partner attended with him in court.

The solicitor added that the defendant’s conduct on this occasion was “somewhat unbelieveable.”

Coulter was also disqualified from driving for four years and fined a total of £750 for dangerous driving, having no insurance, driving unaccompanied, failing to display 'L' plates, and assault of police on March 8.

He was ordered to pay £200 compensation to each of the officers, and given 20 weeks to discharge the fines.