BRAVE police officers who stopped a ‘maniac’ driver have been praised for their actions during a ‘truly terrifying situation’.

Irfan Mohammed rammed three police cars multiple times using a stolen 3.5 tonne van as a ‘weapon’, injuring five officers and causing £60,000 worth of damage during a chase in Droitwich. The 30-year-old was jailed for 22 months at Worcester Crown Court on Monday following the pursuit on May 18. Officer in the case, DC Tom Birchley, commended their bravery, including that of the officer who used his car to ram Mohammed off the road. He told the officers: “I think it’s worth mentioning what a great job you all did in stopping Irfan in the Mercedes.

“It’s been mentioned by all the DI’s in here how well you did in a truly terrifying situation. I really hope your bravery gets the recognition it deserves.”

Watch dramatic video of Mohammed ramming police cars How we reported the original story

He compared Irfan’s driving to something you might see on a videogame, calling it ‘shocking and reckless’. He added: “They put their own personal safety and wellbeing at risk in order to stop the van and bring this person to justice.”

One officer who suffered whiplash injuries said: “I was astounded at the level the suspect was willing to go to in order to evade police custody.

“It is the first time that I have been rammed as part of my role as a road policing officer and indeed as a police constable.

“I honestly believed that the suspect meant to cause serious injury to other police officers and myself in order to evade police.”

Judge Juckes said it was as bad an example of dangerous driving as he had ever seen and that Mohammed was fortunate not to be facing much more serious charges. However, the case has been reviewed by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The maximum prison sentence for dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking is two years. “I will of course sentence within the straitjacket that the legislation provides” said judge Juckes who also banned Mohammed from driving for five years and 11 months and ordered him to complete an extended driving retest.