A Dartford man who shot a police officer has been jailed for 12 years.

Michael Olsen, 52, of Lavinia Road, Dartford, was sentenced last Friday (March 20) at Inner London Crown Court.

He was found guilty on January 12 at the same court of GBH with intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life and dangerous driving.

The court heard how on October 3 last year PCs Mark Bird and Robert Wilson from Bexley were called to Olsen’s Land Rover Freelander.

It had been abandoned in the middle of Westwood Lane, Welling, after ploughing into traffic island and several other parked cars.

A member of the public informed the police officer on the scene the driver had walked off in the direction of Welling.

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The injury to PC Bird

As PCs Bird and Wilson drove down the road they spotted Olsen walking in nearby Wendover Way.

They pulled alongside him saying they needed to speak with him but he ignored them and carried on.

As the officers got out their car Olsen, just six feet away, turned around and pointed a revolver-style gun at PC Wilson and threatened him.

PC Bird lunged at Olsen who fired the gun, shooting him through the hand.

Both officers managed to restrain Olsen and he was arrested.

Upon searching him, they found a bag of bullets in his pocket.

In custody he denied knowing the gun was real, maintaining he thought it was a toy.

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The gun recovered

Detective Constable Toby Carroll, from the Trident Gang Crime Command who investigated the incident, said: "Olsen showed a reckless disregard throughout the evening of 3 October.

“It is only by chance that his decision to brandish and discharge a firearm at unarmed officers did not have fatal consequences, as could his behaviour behind the wheel of his car.

"His claim that the firearm was a toy was little more than pathetic.

“He will now spend a considerable time behind bars as a result of his actions."

MORE TOP STORIES Borough commander of Bexley, Jeff Boothe, said: "This incident highlights the dangers that police officers can face as they go about their job.

“PC Mark Bird and PC Robert Wilson, knowing they were faced with a man in possession of a firearm, did not shirk from their duty to protect Londoners.”