TWO police officers have been commended for a drugs bust which ended with a car smashing into the front of a garage.

Sgt Alex Nellist and PC Keith Hewitt were struggling to get Stephen McLaren out of his car when the vehicle shot forward and crashed through the front of the Shell garage in Old Road, Clacton.

A court heard Sgt Nellist had to let go of McLaren to stop himself being dragged under the car.

The vehicle careered forward, smashing a large plate glass window worth £3,700.

Police later found eight wraps of heroin in the Audi A4, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

“Both of these officers showed a singular devotion to duty and I commend them both,” said Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC.

McLaren, 40, of Windermere Court, Clacton, admitted careless driving, obstructing police, drugs possession and damaging property.

He was jailed for 12 months and had six points put on his licence.

Judge Goldstaub said there would be no driving ban as McLaren had been in custody for the equivalent of a 12-month sentence.