A CAR thief who assaulted a police officer has been jailed for eight months.

Daniel Westlake, 20, admitted hot-wiring a Peugeot and taking it in Chilswell Road in Grandpont on Sunday last week and using it to steal £14 of fuel from the BP petrol station on the A40.

He had tried earlier to steal a Ford Escort from School Place, New Hinskey, and a Citroen Saxo from Baltic Wharf, Grandpont.

Westlake, of Marlborough Road, admitted theft of a motor vehicle and two attempted thefts at Banbury Magistrates’ Court.

He also admitted assaulting the police officer who arrested him by pushing him in the face and chest and damaging an electronic tag he ripped off.

He was also convicted of driving while disqualified and without insurance, police said.

Speaking after the court hearing, Oxford Pc Stuart McLaren, said: “This result shows that offences of this nature will not go unpunished and Thames Valley Police will deal with the offenders robustly to seek the justice the victims deserve.”

Westlake was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £100.

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