ANGERED by an appearance at magistrates court over a domestic matter, Andrew Smith drove to Sittingbourne police station and doused himself in petrol with the intention of killing himself.

But officers were able to smash their way into his car before he could set fire to the fuel.

Now, Smith has started a three-year jail sentence after admitting attempted arson and driving offences.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that the 50-year-old would not only have harmed himself had he succeeded but put the lives of officers and people at the nearby leisure centre at risk.

Smith had on July 1 been to the magistrates’ court, where allegations were made against him by his ex-girlfriend.

Officers inside the police station later heard loud bangs outside and then saw Smith ramming cars in his Ford Mondeo. David Povall, prosecuting, said Smith was shunting backwards and forwards into the cars, causing damage.

Officers ran out and tried to persuade him to get out of his car. They saw that he had a cigarette in his mouth, although it was not known if it was lit, and he was pouring petrol from a can. Smith warned them to get back and he then rammed the cars in front and behind.

"The police were concerned that if the petrol inside were to explode, there would be injuries to officers and people at the leisure centre across the road," said Mr Povall.

"The defendant was distracted by his mobile phone ringing. Officers using asps or extendable batons smashed their way into the car. They pulled him out and handcuffed him."

He smelled of alcohol but refused to take a breath test. He volunteered that he had been banned from driving in 2004 for three years.

Mr Povall said Smith, then of London Road, Sittingbourne, had 17 convictions for 35 offences.

As well as attempted arson, Smith, now of The Quays, Crown Quay Lane, admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and uninsured and failing to provide a breath specimen.

Paul Jarvis, defending, said the magistrates case arose out of an argument Smith had with Karen Haynes.

"It was his perspective of the injustice that caused him to commit these offences," he said. "What is not out of character is attempting to take his life."

Mr Jarvis said Smith had previously tried to kill himself by gassing himself in his car, but the engine stopped before he could do so.

Judge Philip Statman told Smith: "I am clear in my mind that you have a depressive disorder which may respond to treatment by way of drugs and psychotherapy."

There was nothing in reports, he said, to suggest that he needed treatment under the Mental Health Act. The judge added that if his condition deteriorated in prison, he could be transferred to hospital.

Smith was banned from driving for a further three years.