A BANNED motorist who smashed his £100 van into a police car, writing the cop car off, has been jailed for two years.

Nathan Law claimed someone else was at the wheel of the white Transit when it was driven head-on into the Astra in North Bradley, after police had followed him from Melksham.

But his DNA and that of his girlfriend were found in the vehicle, and his fate was sealed when the court heard he had used the name 'Nate Lawless' when he bought the van days earlier, saying he wanted it for scrap.

Law, 35, of Chantry Court, Southwick and formerly of Calne, pleaded not guilty to driving while disqualified and dangerous driving but was convicted after a trial.

A jury at Swindon Crown Court didn't believe his story and despite him continuing to protest from the dock he was jailed.

Police spotted the white vehicle, which had no front number plate, at about 9pm on January 17 on the A350, as it headed south away from Melksham, and turned round to follow it.

When they put on the lights and sirens the van accelerated away, going through red lights before turning right towards North Bradley.

The Transit stopped close to the Rising Sun pub and reversed towards the police vehicle, which backed off to avoid a collision.

After the van hit a road sign it was turned round and driven head on into the patrol car, shunting it a few feet backwards.

The officer, who had a colleague with him, said he saw a man and woman in the front and the airbag going off in the Transit as it hit his car.

As a result of the smash the police car was written off, the court heard, and could not follow as the van was driven away.

Police tracked it down to Chantry Court two days later and forensic tests found DNA from Laws and his girlfriend on the airbag, which had been deployed.

The previous owner said he had sold it for parts to a 'Nate Lawless', at the address, for £100 a couple of days earlier.

Giving evidence, Law said he had bought the vehicle for scrap and had only driven it on to a low loader on a farm, when the air bag was accidentally activated.

On the night of the chase he said he had been working away as a block paver and anyone could have used his vehicle as he left the keys in it.

Andrew Stone, defending, said despite the jury's finding his client, a former heroin addict with mental health issues, still maintained his innocence.

Jailing him, Recorder Michael Vere-Hodge QC said "You have been convicted by this jury on the clearest possible evidence on both counts.

"The evidence you gave to the jury was a transparent pack of lies, and I suspect there were periods you realised they were when you were giving them, and the jury were having none of it.

"The name you used, Nathan Lawless, entirely described your attitude to driving offences and the law. You see yourself as beyond the law."

As well as jailing him he also banned him from the road for six years and until he has passed an extended test.