A Wythenshawe man who tried to drive down the wrong side of the motorway in a stolen BMW and smashed into a police car has been jailed for three years. 

Drew McWilliam (25) of Cotefield Road, Wythenshawe was sentenced yesterday, Monday 25 September 2017, was jailed for three years for handling stolen property and one year for dangerous driving, to be served concurrently.

Manchester Crown Court at Minshull Street was shown footage of him running from a stolen car. He was found guilty following a three-day trial.

On 29 October 2016, McWilliam was spotted driving a stolen BMW from a home in Timperley and changed its plates in Wythenshawe, before driving onto the M6.

Officers from the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit covertly followed the car to Lancaster Services, where they planned to stop the car travelling any further.

However, instead of pulling over, McWilliam rammed the BMW into the pursuing police car and tried to force his way onto the wrong side of the motorway.

Police prevented him from doing so and he was promptly arrested after trying to flee from the car.

Sergeant Andrew Torkington of GMP’s Specialist Operations Team, said: “McWilliam, in his reckless driving, was a risk to himself, our officers and the public, I can only imagine the damage that could have been caused if he’d carried on.

“Our team of dedicated and highly trained officers work around the clock to put a stop to those who evade the law and put others’ lives in danger.

“We are busier than ever, targeting people like McWilliam in order to secure the appropriate sentences for their crime