A MACHINE operator who had taken a cocktail of drugs crashed his vehicle into a police car when officers tried to block his route.

Matthew Rocke, 21, sped away, abandoned the car in Abertillery and was found by a police dog hiding in the grounds of a nearby school.

Rocke admitted dangerous driving, driving while unfit through drugs, failing to stop, and having no insurance and license.

Prosecutor Ieuan Rees said that at about midnight on March 12 last year Rocke, of Rosebury Street, Abertillery, was spotted in a Peugeot in Victoria Street in the town.

He was followed and sped away.

The police blocked the road but Rocke did a hand brake turn, crashed into the side of their car and drove off.

After being arrested he admitted he had taken a combination of ecstasy, amphetamine and cannabis.

His counsel Laurence Jones said: "He is carving out a life for himself and is due to become a father.

"In the past drugs have not been an entrenched habit. Perhaps this case represents a wake up call. His partner will make sure he doesn't become involved in drugs again."

He was jailed for six months suspended for a year, disqualified from driving for a year and ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work and to take the extended driving test.

Judge Neil Bidder said: "The gravity of this case lies in driving that vehicle under the influence of drugs.