A teenage joyrider who crashed into a police sergeant, knocking him over, was warned by a judge today that he could face prison for the offence.

At Gloucester crown court today Fletch Price, 18, of Bridgeside, Cainscross, Stroud, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and assaulting Sgt Simon Laird causing him actual bodily harm.

The court heard that Price and another youth took a Mini without consent on 26th June 2018 and drove it dangerously and that there was a collision in Parliament street in Stroud, in which damage was caused.

Defence solicitor Sarah Jenkins told the judge it was now almost two years since the offence because it had taken the police 17 months to send a charge to Price by postal requisition.

Judge Michael Cullum said: "This was a case of knocking over a police sergeant in the course of his duties, trying to get the car to stop.

"That is going to mean a custodial sentence in the normal course of events.

"However, there has been this long delay - and the defendant was only 17 when it was committed. That is an unusual and unhappy mix.

"If I was Sgt Laird I would like to know why on earth it has taken nearly two years to get the case to court. What's the answer?"

Prosecutor Janine Wood said she did not know the reason for the delay and she would make enquiries to find out.

Bailing Price to May 6 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared, the judge said he was aware Price had sent a letter of apology to the sergeant.

He told Price "It may be that because this was an offence against a police sergeant there has to be immediate custody."

He disqualified Price from driving pending sentence.