A 22-YEAR old man, who drove into an off-duty police officer challenging him over using a mobile phone at the wheel, has avoided jail.

Zakariya Khan, of Cheltenham Road, Bradford, admitted wanton and furious driving over the incident at a Morrisons petrol station, which left police officer David Hoyle with back injuries that kept him off work for three months.

Bradford Crown Court heard how Mr Hoyle had been filling his campervan up at the supermarket's Five Lane Ends petrol station in Idle on July 30, 2018, about to head off on holiday with his wife and children, when he was injured.

Prosecutor Michael Smith said: "The petrol station was busy and as he walked across the forecourt to pay he saw a car driving towards him with the defendant on his phone.

"Mr Hoyle admits he gestured towards the defendant to stop using his mobile phone while driving."

"He admits using quite colourful language.

"In response to that the defendant put his middle finger in the air, revved his engine and accelerated towards him from about ten feet away."

He described how the serving police officer was hit and flung onto the bonnet of the car, before falling to the floor, as the defendant drove off.

Mr Hoyle was admitted to hospital and found to have a fractured lumbar vertebrae which required pain killers and bed rest. He discharged himself the following day.

Mr Smith added that Mr Hoyle had been off work for a significant amount of time and required crutches for three months.

His injuries meant he had to give up his firearms licence and was treated for depression.

In interview Khan said he was frightened by what he described as Mr Hoyle's "aggressive" approach as he had placed his hands on the bonnet of his car.

Mr Smith added that phone record investigations showed that Khan was on his mobile at the time of the incident.

He was initially charged with dangerous driving, but his plea to the alternative of wanton and furious driving was accepted.

Richard Wright QC, defending, said Khan had initially stopped his car, but set off driving again when the victim placed his hands on his bonnet - something which was borne out by the CCTV footage.

"We have here a man of impeccable previous character who has acted recklessly in particular circumstances which nobody could have foreseen coming."

He added that Khan "bitterly regrets" his actions that day.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, handed Khan a nine month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He ordered him to carry out 250 hours of community work along with adding six points to his licence.

The Judge said: "You drove your car at another gentleman and you caused him massive disruption, injuries, inconvenience - he was off work for months."

He added that police officers are "never off duty" and that his response in this situation should never have been to drive at Mr Hoyle using an one to two tonne vehicle.

Judge Durham Hall said he would not disqualify Khan from driving as he would lose his job, and he wanted him to pay £1,000 in personal compensation to his victim.