Ex-WPc led police in a 130mph chase, rammed a patrol car and then ran off (but is still spared prison)

During an 18-mile chase, Rebecca Walker swerved at high speed between terrified motorists as she tried to escape.

Eventually she crashed and fled on foot across fields.

When she was finally caught, the 27-year-old attacked officers as they struggled to arrest her and told them: "You can't do this to me. I used to be one of you."

But despite saying it was "remarkable" that no one was killed, the Recorder of Hull, Judge Michael Mettyear, allowed the defendant to walk free.

Walker, of Goole, East Yorkshire, was given a nine-month suspended prison sentence, banned from driving for three years and ordered to have psychiatric treatment.

Later the Campaign Against Drinking and Driving attacked the lenient sentence. "It's absolutely atrocious, she should have had the book thrown at her whether she was an ex-police officer or not," said spokesman Carol Whittingham.

"There should be no second chances. Someone could easily have been killed but for the grace of God and another family left devastated.

"She should have been jailed. What type of deterrent is that sentence?"

Hull Crown Court heard that Walker, who obtained a university degree in equine science before joining the police force, had been out drinking when she was spotted driving erratically in Hull on November 19 last year.

She drove away from police along the A63 dual carriageway, swerving through traffic and driving at up to 130mph.

When one police car pulled in front of her to slow her down, she rammed it three times, causing the driver to hit his head, lose control and crash.

Walker eventually crashed her Peugeot as she pulled on to a slip road and ran away across two fields.

Two officers chasing her injured themselves on barbed wire fencing, and she spat at and hit two in the face as they arrested her. Walker also refused to take a breath test, the court heard.

Nigel Cowgill, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "This was a shocking incident. Professional traffic officers who bravely police the roads should not be subjected to such abhorrent behaviour.

"One officer suffered painful injuries and was on sick leave for a long period of time as a result of the selfish behaviour of this defendant who deliberately tried to evade justice."

Mr Cowgill added: "Walker's actions put lives at risk. It is fortunate that no one was killed."

Judge Mettyear told Walker: "This is just about the worst driving I can remember dealing with when nobody has been killed or seriously injured. It is quite remarkable nobody was.

"Had someone died, the sentence would be six years, and that is what you were risking driving in this absolutely appalling way.

"The fact you come from a good home and were a police officer makes all of this worse and you ought to be thoroughly ashamed of yourself."

Walker, who is single, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, assaulting two police officers and failing to provide a specimen.

David Tremburg, defending, said she was suffering from depression at the time of the incident.

He said: "When the police came on the scene she panicked and tried to get away.

"Mercifully no one was seriously injured, and she has set about trying to rebuild her life."

Later Humberside Assistant Chief Constable Alan Leaver said: "Walker drove in an incredibly dangerous and foolhardy manner. Someone could easily have been killed."