POLICE officers who risked their lives chasing the driver of a giant forklift truck who left a trail of destruction across York have been praised for their bravery.

Raymond Wilson, 22, was jailed for six years yesterday for snatching an eight-ton forklift truck in York city centre on August Bank Holiday weekend and damaging seven vehicles, including a police van which was written off.

Police officers chased Wilson for 30 minutes and only put a stop to his journey, which endangered the lives of 14 people, when they forced him off the A64 dual carriageway with a police Land Cruiser.

A police van in Skeldergate was written-off after it was rammed, and the forklift crashed into the Land Cruiser which forced it off the road.

After taking the truck from Dewsbury Terrace, in Bishophill, Wilson drove the wrong way down Fishergate causing other vehicles to swerve to avoid him.

He crashed into a BMW at the roundabout at the A64/A19 interchange, which started a concertina effect involving four more vehicles.

The honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, who sentenced Wilson at York Crown Court, commended PC Martin Smith, PC James Noble and PC Steve Bushby, who were based at Tadcaster at the time of the incident, for their bravery and action.

Superintendent Javad Ali, operations commander for York and Selby, said of Wilson: "This man and his actions exposed members of the public and our officers to potentially serious injuries or worse. The officers showed tremendous courage and bravery in tackling a very difficult situation.

"This is reflected in Wilson's sentence and the fact that the officers have been commended by the trial judge."

Wilson, no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two charges of recklessly endangering lives by causing criminal damage, and one of aggravated taking of a vehicle.

Updated: 10:01 Saturday, May 03, 2003