Watch: Shocking moment banned driver tries to ram past police officers and parked cars to escape arrest

A banned driver has been convicted after ramming into police officers, pedestrians and parked cars in an attempt to escape arrest.

Shocking footage shows the moment Talha Hayat drove onto the pavement and smashed into parked vehicles in Hoxton Square on April 18.

The 26-year-old - who was already disqualified from driving - left a trail of destruction in his wake, as he desperately tried to evade capture.

Officers on duty in Hoxton Square, in Shoreditch, at 2.35am on Easter Monday, April 18, were alerted that Hayat - who had been reportedly drinking - had got into his car and driven off.

The white Audi, which was being driven by Hayat, was still in the square, stuck in queueing traffic.

Police approached the dangerous driver, and asked him to turn his engine off but he accelerated towards them before reversing into a parked car.

The shocking footage shows this moment, with Hayat leaving the bumper and bonnet of the car crumpled.

He then smashes through a narrow gap and drives onto the pavement, where he gets stuck.

Officers drag him out of the car and appear to hit him with batons while arresting him.

Scotland Yard said three cars were hit “causing substantial damage, with officers and pedestrians only narrowly avoiding serious injury”.

The next day, April 19, Hayat, of Shenley Brook End, Milton Keynes, was charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and being in possession of cannabis.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and was remanded in custody to be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on Tuesday, May 17.

Supt Ed Wells, from the Central East Command Unit which polices Hackney, said: “Hayat’s actions were shocking.

“There is no place on our roads for people who will use their cars as weapons in this way.

“The officers who responded to this incident showed admirable bravery in continuing to try and apprehend him, despite being on foot, even as he accelerated towards them, members of the public and into other cars.

“I have no doubt their actions helped protect the public who were being put at risk by Hayat’s reckless behaviour.

“Police officers go to work each day not knowing what challenges they will come up against.

“This incident is an example of the risks they face in protecting the public and I am very proud of their actions.”