A PRISONER on day release who mowed down a policeman in a stolen car and left him for dead has been jailed.

Luke Haywood held his head in his hands as he was sentenced to nine years at Reading Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday) after a judge heard PC Gareth Browning is unlikely to ever recover from the brain injuries he suffered in the hit and run.

He remains in hospital a year after he was struck by a black Mazda Aerosport and thrown into the air. Haywood, 28, fled the scene and was arrested days later.

Judge John Reddihough said: “At this very moment, a police officer lies in hospital with grave injuries due to your reckless and criminal conduct.”

The court heard Haywood, of Chagford Road, Whitley, was already serving a six year sentence for conspiracy to burgle, when he was allowed out of Springhill Prison for day release.

On November 30 last year, he visited a B&Q store where he bought a wrecking bar which he planned to use to break into sheds.

He also contacted a friend who provided him with the stolen car, but he was spotted by police who began following him.

The court heard the Mazda was travelling between 40 and 50mph when it approached PC Browning’s stationary police car at around 5.30pm in Lower Earley Way.

Judge Reddihough said: “These officers were attempting to place a device on the road to prevent you going any further. You recklessly and with total disregard to the fact that it was highly likely the officers were in the road, attempted to manoeuvre around the device and immediately struck PC Browning.”

The Mazda was later found abandoned and Haywood was arrested on December 2.

PC Browning, a father of three-year-old twins, suffered massive head injuries and his condition is described as “uncertain.”

The court heard Haywood – who has been in court on 15 previous occasions for a total of 30 offences – had been eager to turn his back on his criminal past and was a model prisoner until he found his former partner in bed with another man. John Simmons, defending, said Haywood hardly slept at night as a result of the incident and had been left devastated by his actions.

He admitted three charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, aggravated vehicle taking and going equipped for burglary.

Judge Reddihough said: “I accept you did not deliberately drive at him with the intention of causing him grave injuries but nevertheless your actions were dangerous and grossly reckless.”