A man who was a passenger in a stolen van being pursued by police through Brighton has been jailed for a year.

Alan Hunter, 27, was thrown from the Toyota Hi-Lux van after it had evaded police vehicles pursuing it through the town in the early hours of March 1 this year.

The van had been stolen from Ovingdean on February 27 and Hunter admitted a charge of aggravated vehicle taking at Lewes Crown Court yesterday.

Rob Hall, prosecuting, told the court police had spotted the four-wheel drive vehicle heading into Brighton.

He said: "There was a chase in which the vehicle was driven badly and often dangerously.

"In Bear Road, Brighton, the vehicle caused a collision with a police Land Rover. One police officer injured his wrist, neck and back and the passenger hurt his leg and neck.

"In Upper Hollingdean Road it swerved into the oncoming lane and drove across an Esso petrol station forecourt."

He said the van jumped red lights and drove at speeds of up to 60mph in 30mph zones.

The van also headed cross-country over Hollingbury Golf Course and drove at a police officer who had to jump to safety.

The chase came to an end at East Brighton Park when the driver, who is still at large, lost control of the vehicle, which tipped on to its side.

Hunter and another passenger, who is also still at large, were thrown from the van. Hunter spent a week in intensive care and had his spleen removed before he was arrested and charged.

At court yesterday he also admitted five charges of obtaining or attempting to obtain property by deception in Bradford. He was on bail for that offence and was serving a two-year probation order when the later offences were committed.

Hunter, who is of no fixed abode, also admitted possessing 2g of cannabis after being arrested in Brighton on February 23 this year.

He also pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods in Uckfield after he was found in a car with a 100 watt bass tube worth £35, stolen from a vehicle in Manor Park on April 9.

There were also counts of theft and obstructing a police officer in Winchester in May.

Judge Guy Anthony jailed Hunter for six months for the aggravated vehicle taking and fraud offences in Bradford and a further six months for handling stolen goods and theft and obstructing a police officer.