A POLICEWOMAN was dragged along the road as she tried to arrest a man at the wheel of a car she believed was stolen, a court heard.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the officer suffered bruises and severe pain in her left arm and was unfit for work after Mark Hollins, 22, sped away.

Hollins, whose barrister had pleaded for him to be allowed to go to a drugs rehabilitation centre, was sent to prison for 12 months.

Judge Raymond Bennett said the bench would be failing in its duty if it did not send him to custody. He must also serve the unexpired portion of a previous sentence. Hollins, of Princess Street, Accrington, was banned from driving for 12 months. He admitted dangerous driving, no insurance, no licence, two counts of taking a vehicle without consent, theft and burglary.

Roger Green, prosecuting, said the policewoman stopped Hollins in Burnley, after he went through a red traffic light. She suspected the car had been taken without authority, although it hadn't. The officer arrested Hollins, who tried to punch her and a struggle followed.

The defendant managed to drive the car away and the police woman was dragged several feet along the road as Hollins accelerated away.

Three days later, a car was taken from outside a man's home and found parked outside the defendant's house. Another car was also taken, from the car park at Accrington Victoria Hospital, and Hollins was later seen trying to remove the petrol cap. His fingerprint was inside the vehicle.

Robert Crawford, defending, said Hollins had been on heroin since the age of 14. Unlike many people, he had the support of a decent young woman and there was a great deal of affection between the two.

Hewas highly motivated to put drugs behind him. He, his girlfriend and the probation service had made consideration efforts to see what could be done to help him kick his habit.

Hollins had a deep seated problem as far as cars were concerned, but realised he couldn't go on offending in this way.

Mr Crawford, who said the defendant needed to "keep his confounded hands off other people's cars," added Hollins had the opportunity to go to a drug rehabilitation centre, as a place was available for him.

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