A FORD driver who pranged a police car as he tried to get away from officers will be sentenced later this summer.

Marvin Barker, 30, was behind the wheel of the Ford Focus on June 10, 2019, when he made off from police in Banbury. He struck a police car, causing relatively minor damage.

The Banbury man was due to stand trial at Oxford Crown Court this week on an allegation of dangerous driving.

Appearing before Judge Michael Gledhill QC on Wednesday, Barker, of Evenlode, Banbury, pleaded guilty on a basis to dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance. He admitted hitting the police car, but denied it was done deliberately.

The judge adjourned sentence and ordered probation reports after hearing that Barker’s partner was heavily pregnant. The dangerous driver was also currently on a suspended sentence imposed for burglary.

Imposing an interim driving disqualification, Judge Gledhill said: “Don’t muck that up by driving during this period because that will tie my hands and I will have to send you to prison.”

He was bailed to return to court on August 3.

Matthew Bolt appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service. Barker was represented by Julian Lynch.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.