A drug-dealer who twice smashed into a police car and then sparked a chase after he tried to avoid getting arrested has been jailed for six months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Shane Liversedge, 30, had been at the wheel of a parked van when plain clothes police saw his passenger David Pye, 33, selling cannabis on an Accrington Street.

The officers had pulled in front of the vehicle, held out their warrant cards and shouted for the two men to get out.

But the van reversed and hit a marked police car twice, pushing it out of the way.

Liversedge then drove off, with the marked police vehicle in pursuit with its lights flashing and sirens on.

The defendant went through a red traffic light on the wrong side of the road, making no attempt to slow down, weaved down six roads and then finally came to a stop on Edward Street.

Police smashed the van window with a truncheon, took the keys from the ignition, opened the door and told the two men to stay where they were.

Liversedge was arrested, but Pye ran off. Almost five grams of cannabis was found in the van.

Liversedge, of Hollins Lane, and his co-defendant, of St Leger Court, both Accrington, had admitted supplying cannabis, in August, 2009.

Liversedge also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

He was banned for two years and must take an extended retest.

Pye received a 12-month community order, with 150 hours unpaid work.

Roger Green, prosecuting, said when Liversedge was arrested, he claimed he had not known the plain clothes officers were police.

He said he had been threatened by a gang and feared attack.

The defendant told police he could not recall hitting the police vehicle.

Pye was not arrested until the following month when police spotted him in a parked car in Accrington and were suspicious.

He had more than £1,100 on him when he was searched and claimed he won it gambling.

Mr Green said Pye had a record going back to when he was a youth and had been to jail.

Liversedge had convictions for motoring offences.

Hilary Manley, for Pye, said there was no need for immediate custody.

He had not offended in the last two years, was more mature and had enrolled on a college course.

The cannabis offence was a one- off social supply.

Philip Holden, for Liversedge, told the court he had not got many convictions as an adult.

Judge Robert Altham said the dangerous driving was very serious and the 'potentially deadly manoeuvre' through the red traffic lights could have resulted in very serious consequences.