A “career criminal” who mowed down a police officer in his car after he tried to escape from a shoplifting expedition has been jailed for 10 years.

Under the extended sentence for public protection, Heath Vosper will have to serve two thirds before he can be considered for release. He will be on licence for a further two years.

He was banned from driving for five years and will have to take an extended test before his licence can be returned.

The 44-year-old father, who has 122 offences on his record, deliberately drove his Vauxhall Vectra at PC Jayson Bole as he sped off from a drive-through takeaway in Minster, Thanet.

The officer was thrown over the bonnet and onto the roof before landing on the ground.

Vosper and his son, also called Heath, 21, had shortly before stolen two television sets together worth £800 from Staples in Broadstairs.

Ten days before, Vosper drove dangerously after shoplifting perfumes at a store in Orpington, prosecutor Damian Van Duyvenbode told a jury at Maidstone Crown Court.

“Undoubtedly, you are a career criminal. You are a thoroughly dishonest man.” - Judge Jonathan Carroll

Vosper and his son were challenged by security guards as they left TK Maxx in Orpington on November 23, 2013.

Mr Van Duyvenbode said there was a “chaotic struggle” with the father assaulting two security guards before the pair managed to escape at speed in the car.

On December 3, they stole the TVs from Staples in Broadstairs. Later that day they were spotted in McDonald’s in Minster.

After passing a van containing police officers Vosper did a U-turn and headed for the car park exit. The van tried to block the way but the car squeezed through a small gap.

PC Bole jumped out of the van and put his hand up to tell Vosper to stop but he drove straight at him deliberately.

The officer’s left shoulder cracked the windscreen as he hit the bonnet. He escaped with grazes to the back of his head and a sore shoulder.

“This was done at some speed and intent to cause him serious injury,” said Mr Van Duyvenbode. “We say it was a determination that knew no bounds.”

Vosper, of no fixed address, denied assaulting the security guards with intent to resist arrest, dangerous driving and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to PC Bole, but was convicted.

Judge Jonathan Carroll told Vosper, who in 2009 served six years for armed robbery: “Undoubtedly, you are a career criminal. You are a thoroughly dishonest man.”

The judge who sentenced Vosper’s son had commented that he was a willing participant in the “family business”.

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