A stolen car crashed into a police vehicle as the driver tried to flee from officers in Hamilton town centre.
Declyn McNeil, 25, was jailed for a year and banned from driving for two years at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.
He admitted driving the stolen car dangerously, failing to stop for the police and driving without a licence in the early hours of Christmas Day last year.
McNeil, a prisoner, also admitted threatening police officers, struggling with them and failing to provide specimens of breath.
The car was spotted in Keith Street shortly after 1am.
Officers knew McNeil didn't have a valid licence, but when they got out of their vehicle to speak to him he drove off, narrowly missing them and going through a red traffic light.
Chloe O'Hara, prosecuting, told the court: "The officers then saw him in Cadzow Street where McNeil accelerated towards the police vehicle.
"He tried to drive round the side of it, but because of bollards there wasn't enough room.
"His car struck the police vehicle at speed and became jammed between it and the bollards.
"McNeil got out via the passenger seat and was met by the police officers. He began to struggle and was taken to the ground.
"He was shouting phrases such as 'Get off me and take me on one by one' and 'Your jaws are getting ripped'.
"There was a strong smell of alcohol from him."
The car McNeil was driving was bearing false number plates. Enquiries revealed it had been stolen the previous month.
Defence agent Ali Murray said dad of one McNeil, who is from Blantyre, usually works as a window fitter.
Mr Murray stated: "It was Christmas and he was socialising with friends.
"Drink had been taken and he made the foolhardy decision to get behind the wheel.
"When he saw the police he panicked and took flight.
"He appreciates the danger he posed to the police and members of the public."
Sheriff Thomas Millar said he would have jailed McNeil for 18 months but for his early guilty plea.
The 12-month sentence was backdated to December 27 as the accused has been in custody since then.
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like a nd share!
