A motorist who assaulted a police officer after being pulled over has been jailed.

Michael Francis, of Chapter Walk, Bristol, appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Wednesday for sentencing.

Francis was charged with to failing to provide a specimen of blood, failing to provide a specimen of breath and assaulting an emergency worker.

He pleaded guilty to all of the offences.

At around 11 pm on March 18, 2022, a roads policing officer was carrying out routine patrols on the M4.

The officer spotted a black Lexus travelling at high speed and, after becoming concerned about the manner of driving, decided to pull the car over.

When the officer attempted to place handcuffs on the defendant, Francis pushed the female officer against the vehicle injuring her arm.

Pava spray was used, and shortly afterwards fellow officers arrived at the scene to assist with detaining the driver.

Francis was jailed for 16 weeks and was disqualified from driving for three years and two months.

The 45-year-old was also ordered to pay £50 in compensation to the officer he assaulted and was further ordered by Magistrates to pay court costs and a victim surcharge.

Inspector Andy Moreton, from Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Our officers are out on patrol on the roads of Wiltshire day and night to keep people safe and apprehend drivers who pose a risk to other road users.

“It is completely unacceptable when police officers are assaulted while carrying out these public duties, and I am pleased to see the courts acknowledging this and ensuring these offenders are taken off our streets.”