A man has been jailed for 16 weeks after he was charged with driving whilst disqualified and assaulting an officer.

Nathan Law, 37, of Braemor Road, Calne, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court today and pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer in the exercise of his duty, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance and two counts of criminal damage.

He was arrested on Wednesdayafter officers were called to an initial report of shoplifting in Potterne.

The suspects had left the scene and got into a red Fiat Punto - a description was given to police and the vehicle was spotted in Church Lane, Worton.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but Law - who was driving the vehicle - drove off, before appearing to attempt to ram the police car.

He then drove towards a footbridge where he was forced to a stop, and was arrested. A search was conducted of the vehicle and during this time, Law became aggressive towards officers, threatening to break their bones and lashing out multiple times, before spitting at officers.

Acting Insp Pete Foster said: "Law became aggressive during the incident - he spat at officers whilst in the rear of the van. In fact, he was so aggressive that a secure cage was required to transport him to custody for his safety, and the safety of officers.

"He damaged handcuffs that were placed on him beyond repair and urinated in the cage of the van causing further damage.

"This behaviour will simply not be tolerated and I am pleased the courts have seen fit to issue him with a custodial sentence on this occasion."

As well as the prison sentence, he was also ordered to pay £122 compensation to the officer assaulted and £30 compensation to Wiltshire Police.