A TEENAGER who ran over a police officer on a stolen moped has been given a suspended sentence.

The 17-year-old had taken the pizza delivery bike while its owner was making a delivery in Saxon Gardens, Shoebury .

He drove it with his pal, John Francis, on the back. Neither were wearing crash helmets.

PC Gillian Marr spotted them during a routine traffic operation in Maplin Way, Shoebury, and tried to flag them down.

The bike ploughed into her, running over her left shin and leaving her with a bruised back, swollen knee and grazed legs.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Francis fled the scene after the incident, on August 27, but were arrested nearby.

The court heard he was already serving a Youth Rehabilitation Order at the time and had missed some of his appointments.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, having no licence and no insurance.

A victim impact statement from PC Marr said the incident had left her shaken and caused her sleepless nights.

David Gilmore, chairman of the magistrates, told the youngster he was in “deep doo-doos” at the moment.

He added: “Clearly this is an extremely serious offence which in normal circumstances could have led to a custodial sentence.”

However, because of the youngster’s personal background, outlined in a pre-sentence report, he was given an 18-month Youth Rehabilitation Order with supervision.

He must also complete 150 hours unpaid work, a thinking skills programme, and was banned from driving for 18 months. He must also pay the officer £200 compensation.

Francis, 18, of Delaware Road, Shoebury, had already pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, sent on a thinking skills programme and was banned from driving for six months.