A judge has condemned “an appalling and terrifying piece of driving” that left a woman lying at the roadside like a rag doll.

Lee Smith, 23, of Chester Road, Dartmouth Park, was sentenced to two years and eight months imprisonment for failing to stop at the scene of the collision in Shepherd’s Hill, Highgate in September.

Mr Recorder Christopher Hehir, whilst passing sentence, described Smith’s conduct as “an appalling and terrifying piece of driving”.

He said that footage from the onboard camera in the police vehicle made for “chilling viewing”.

He described Smith’s behaviour as: “Inexplicable and inexcusable, injuring a victim who was blamelessly crossing the road, leaving her lying at the roadside like a rag doll.”

The car Smith was driving collided with the victim while he was fleeing a police chase on Monday, September 15.

At approximately 11:35am a police vehicle in Colindale attempted to stop the black Ford Focus he was driving, which was later found to have been reported lost or stolen.

The vehicle failed to stop and officers pursued using blue lights and sirens.

Ten minutes later the Ford Focus collided with the 27-year-old pedestrian in Shepherd’s Hill, causing the woman serious leg and head injuries.

Smith did not stop at the scene.

Police assisted the injured woman, who was taken to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington for treatment.

Although her condition was not life threatening, she was seriously injured.

She continues to make a slow recovery but is still unable to walk or return to her much-loved job.

Smith pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving with no insurance and failing to stop after a road collision at Highgate Magistrates Court on September 19.

He was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday to two years and eight months for causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and three months for driving whilst disqualified

He was disqualified from driving for five years.

The judge also praised a police officer involved in the chase.

He said: “Tribute must be paid to the police driver, PC David Millsip, who demonstrated consummate skill and professionalism throughout the pursuit.”