Dash camera video from the West Midlands Police of an airbag deployment during a police pursuit of suspect Michael Gaffey. Location: Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom Date: July 25, 2018 (Wednesday) West Midlands Police: Reckless driver filmed ramming police car is jailed A reckless driver who prompted a four mile pursuit which saw him twice reverse into a police car, then drive at an officer, has been jailed. Cops in an unmarked police vehicle tried to stop Michael Gaffey who was speeding in Shirley just after 11.15pm on 25 July last year. He ignored the blue lights in Union Road before hitting speeds of up to 80mph - causing other road users to take evasive action - as he attempted to flee. Gaffey eventually appeared to come to a stop in Tyth Barn Lane, Dickens Heath, but then reversed his VW Polo into a police car. An alert bobby managed to quickly move the unmarked vehicle to avoid significant impact and then start following the Polo again as it made off. Gaffey came to stop for a second time on a walkway off Rumbush Lane but then again reversed into the cop’s car causing the airbags to inflate and officers to be temporarily blinded by the powder. Although the officers suffered back and slight burn injuries from the airbags they quickly got out of their vehicle to try and detain Gaffey. However, as one of the officers approached the Polo he reversed towards him - forcing the bobby to jump clear. Gaffey abandoned his damaged car shortly afterwards but quick-time enquiries established that it belonged to one of his associates. He was promptly established as the prime suspect and arrested. Gaffey, aged 28, of no fixed address, was found guilty and convicted of dangerous driving, having no insurance and assault he was jailed for three years at Birmingham Crown Court last Thursday (24 January). He was also banned from the road for five-and-a-half years. Pc Anne Butler, from force CID at Solihull, said: "Gaffey’s reckless driving put lives, including those of police officers, at risk. "But they refused to be deterred and thanks to their accounts, and those of other witnesses, we were able to trace Gaffey and put him behind bars."

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