An Essex car trader rammed a police car and drove towards another car causing the driver to jump out of the way to avoid being hit, it has been alleged.

Police officers pulled up behind a parked car in Old Ipswich Road, Colchester, and a uniformed police officer tapped on the window and told the driver, Lenice Murrain: “Police. Open up,” Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Murrain allegedly looked at the officer before allegedly starting the car, revving the engine and reversing “fairly fast” into the front of the police car, said Nicola May, prosecuting.

The police officer and his colleague tried to smash the windows of Murain’s Ford Focus with their batons but Murrain reversed again at speed into the police car before driving forward and colliding with a parked car in front.

He had repeated the ramming manoeuvre several times until he had created a big enough gap to get his car through, said Miss May.

Murrain had then allegedly driven at speed towards a Peugeot causing the driver, Colin Maidwell,who was standing by the vehicle to jump out of the way to avoid being squashed between the two vehicles.

Murrain had driven off and allegedly drove at speeds of between 50 and 70 miles an hour to Colchester police station where he stopped and was arrested.

Miss May alleged that during the journey to the police station Murrain had overtaken vehicles on the wrong side of the road causing oncoming vehicles to take avoiding action.

He had also allegedly driven over two red traffic lights and driven over a double roundabout without stopping, said Miss May.

During police interviews Murrain claimed he had no idea the men trying to smash his windows were police officers and said he had driven to the police station because he feared for his life.

Murrain, 34, of no fixed address has denied dangerous driving and criminal damage to the police car and two other cars on February 18.

The court heard that Mr Maidwell and Murrain were both car traders and shortly after Christmas Mr Maidwell claimed he was the victim of a burglary.

Police had wanted to speak to Murrain about the alleged burglary and on February 18 Mr Maidwell had contacted the police after seeing Murrain’s car in Colchester.

Miss May said Murrain had denied any involvement in the burglary.

The trial continues.