A police officer feared he would be crushed to death when a teenager drove at him in a stolen car, a court heard.

PC Adam Beecroft must have been "frightened to death" a judge told Bradford Crown Court today.

The officer's hand and leg were struck, leaving him injured, bleeding and shaken.

Before the court were three Manchester men who pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking.

Marcus Davenport, 18, who drove at PC Beecroft near the junction of Bradford Road and Sussex Street, Keighley, admitted driving while disqualified.

Davenport, of West Street, Middleton, was in the dock with Michael Thornton, 20, and his brother Mark, 22, both of Hollin Lane, Middleton, Greater Manchester.

Prosecutor Paul Nicholson said PC Beecroft saw a Renault Clio and a Vauxhall Corsa driven at speed in convoy between Bradford and Keighley at 5am on October 26.

Michael Thornton was at the wheel of the Corsa, taken in Keighley, and Davenport was driving the Clio, taken in Oldham. Mark Thornton was a passenger in the Clio.

Mr Nicholson said the officer had to go at 90mph to gain on the cars.

Both vehicles jumped a red light and the drivers ignored the officer's order to pull over.

The Corsa three times slammed on its brakes in what PC Beecroft believes was a deliberate bid to make him crash into the back of it.

The officer saw Michael Thornton laughing at the wheel.

Thornton stopped the Corsa and jumped into the Clio which accelerated away on the wrong side of the road.

The officer, who had got out of his car, saw the Clio coming at him at high speed.

"He stumbled and thought he was going to be killed. He fell back on to the police car and the Clio hit his right hand and right leg before driving off at speed," Mr Nicholson said.

"He could barely talk but he radioed saying an attempt had been made to run him over."

The court heard Davenport had previous convictions for aggravated vehicle taking and three offences of speeding.

Mark Thornton had been in court for drink driving and dangerous driving and his brother for aggravated vehicle taking, robbery, disqualified driving and no insurance.

Recorder Sandra Keen sentenced all three to a community order for 12 months coupled with supervision. All must attend a "Think First" programme and all were given overnight curfews for three months.

All were banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £150 costs. The judge also sentenced Davenport to 150 hours unpaid work.