A 'RECKLESS' driver deliberately endangered a police officer by speeding off as the PC leaned into his car.

Thomas Sinclair sparked a pursuit through various streets in Greenock after fleeing a routine traffic stop.

Sinclair, 35 — who has previous convictions for police assault — is today behind bars for the 'disgraceful' offence.

As the multiple offender's wife sat weeping in the town's sheriff court, his lawyer said he was was 'his own worst enemy'.

Sinclair waited until the constable was leaning through and across the front passenger side of his silver-coloured Ford Focus Sport before accelerating away.

He failed to stop for police on a number of built-up roads, including East Shaw Street and Wellington Street after being pulled over at Grey Place.

Solicitor Edward Sweeney said: "From the background report it appears that his acceptance of his guilt might be regarded as ambivalent.

"However, I've spoken with him and he does not dispute the nature of the offences."

Sinclair pleaded guilty to culpably and recklessly driving off at speed when the officer was leaning into the car through an open door 'whereby he had to take evasive action to avoid being injured', all to his danger.

Sinclair committed the offence and the failure to stop crime on December 5 last year.

Mr Sweeney said: "There is reference to the possibility of unpaid work as a direct alternative to custody, and a reluctance on his part.

"His position to me is that if this is an order of the court he would carry it out.

"In many ways he's his own worst enemy in what he says."

Sinclair, of Grey Place, was jailed in 2017 for assaulting two constables within Greenock police office after following his wife inside, shouting, swearing and seizing her by the body.

He punched one officer on the head, attempted to headbutt him and then kicked him and another PC on their bodies.

He has a further four convictions for assault and one for battery.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton told him that his latest offences were a 'disgraceful set of circumstances'.

The sheriff said: "In my view it is more serious because your most recent convictions are for a number of assaults on police.

"Police officers put themselves in danger every day, including during routine car stops.

"This officer was leaning in across the passenger seat to deal with you, and you decided to drive off, putting the officer in danger and that is completely unacceptable."

The sheriff jailed Sinclair for six months, banned him from driving for eight months and imposed a £350 fine with no time to pay, meaning he will spend some additional time in prison.