A MAN assaulted his ex-partner and drove dangerously at police officers during a drunken episode in Leigh.

In the early hours of May 29, Oliver Chalk, 36, was driving home with the woman following a night out at the Oakleigh Bar in London Road.

Both parties drank alcohol and were arguing on the journey home, eventually leading Chalk to attack the victim, injuring her thumb and neck.

Chalk was sentenced at Southend Magistrates Court yesterday after admitting common assault and dangerous driving Joe Bird, prosecuting, said: “The victim made a 999 call after she escaped from the vehicle and the defendant managed to find her whilst she was on that call.

“He told her to get back into the car as the assault continued and Mr Chalk referenced ‘Old Bill’ and ‘CID’ speaking about an unmarked police car.

“That car had officers who were dispatched following the victim’s 999 call. They also conducted several inquiries at a friend’s address where they believed he was living, and other addresses.”

As they got to the defendant’s home address in Canonsleigh Crescent, the officers waited to see if Chalk would turn up.

They later noticed his the defendant’s Mercedes vehicle pull into the road and the officers got out of their car.

Chalk then drove towards the officers at speed and a “slight glancing blow” was made to the police car, causing no harm or injuries to the officers.

Mr Bird added: “The defendant continued to drive off and abandoned his car somewhere else in Southend before making off on foot.

“The victim drove off in the car to wait for help and officers found her and took her to hospital.

“Mr Chalk was arrested the following day.”

Molly Dyas, mitigating, represented Chalk in court.

She said: “The dangerous driving offence involves a brief moment of driving, in my submission it is not a flagrant piece of driving.

Mr Chalk recognises alcohol was and is a trigger to his anger and offending, and it is something he has tried to address through a course.

“He is somebody who wants to put this behind him.”

His Honour Judge Ian Graham sentenced Chalk to six months for dangerous driving and two months for common assault which will run consecutively. He is also disqualified from driving for one year.