A DRINK driver nearly three times over the limit ran over a policeman’s leg as he tried to flee.

Shane Reed was with passengers in a tipper van when the vehicle shuddered to a halt outside the Pig and Butcher pub near Uckfield.

Police officers had been called to the pub in the village of Five Ash Down over a separate matter, but were suspicious as Reed had not turned on the headlights in the van.

When PC Alex Morris went to question him and take out the keys from the ignition, Reed pushed him away then ran over the officer’s leg.

It caused PC Morris “excruciating” pain but luckily he did not suffer any broken bones or long term injury.

He thought his days were up, a court heard.

Reed gave a breath test which showed he was way over the limit.

The 28-year-old admitted drink driving and was found guilty of failing to stop for an officer, and assaulting an emergency worker when he appeared before Lewes Crown Court.

Her Honour Judge Janet Waddicor said Reed was lucky that greater harm was not caused.

But she accepted that Reed had not deliberately drove over the officer’s leg with intent.

Reed, formerly of Martins Gardens, Crowborough, was given a ten month suspended sentence and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Edward Hand, prosecuting, said the incident happened in July 2019.

The van Reed was driving had made “strange noises” and came to an “abrupt stop” outside the pub on the wrong side of the road.

As officers approached, Reed wanted to get away.

Mr Hand said: “PC Morris told the driver to stop, but was knocked to the ground. As the vehicle drove away it ran over the lower leg of PC Morris.”

Reed gave a breath test of 103 micrograms (mcg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath, the legal limit is 35mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

He has eight previous convictions for 12 offences, and failed to turn up for his trial into the matters.

Sarah Thorne, defending, said Reed has since been acting as a father to a new partner’s child as stepfather, and has turned his life around.

Judge Waddicor said: The officer injured by you described it as a frightening experience. He thought his days were up.

“He feared he would end up like another officer who was dragged along by young people who ended up losing his life.”

The judge said Reed had also put his passengers’ lives at risk by drink driving. She said “on balance” she was persuaded to suspend the prison sentence.

Reed was banned from driving for 28 months.