A CAREER criminal who assaulted two police officers and evaded capture for a month was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court yesterday.

Reece Owen, 26, of no fixed abode, was found guilty at the same court on July 2 of two counts of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, two burglaries, possession of an offensive weapon, escaping from custody and assaulting police.

On 24 June 2014, Owen was circulated by officers in Hillingdon as wanted on recall to prison after he breached the conditions of his release.

Owen had received a 27-month prison sentence in January 2013 for a burglary offence which he committed in the Thames Valley area.

Owen had committed two offences in the weeks leading up to his disappearance. He was responsible for driving dangerously on April 10 in Cowley Road, where he drove at speed, mounted the pavement and narrowly missed pedestrians.

On June 19 Owen committed a burglary at the Rural Activities Centre, a garden centre and a learning support centre for adults with learning difficulties in West Drayton, at which he stole a quantity of cash.

Officers arrested Owen on June 23 at a Hillingdon home. While in police custody on June 24 at Hillingdon Hospital, Owen pushed two officers and escaped by sprinting away from them.

On July 3 Owen committed a further burglary at an address in Blossom Way, West Drayton, stealing a wallet and other items.

Shortly after someone recognised Owens from a media appeal which had appeared in a newspaper and they contacted the police.

On July 16 Owen drove a VW Golf dangerously at speed in Pield Heath Road in Hillingdon.

Officers were unable to pursue and detain him at the time due to the extreme danger he placed the lives of the public, the police and himself.

The vehicle and Owens’ details were re-circulated as wanted and that he was a threat to the public.

On July 20 officers attended an address in Lovibond Close, West Drayton and Owen was arrested. At the time of the arrest Owen reached for a knife as he struggled with officers.

He was subsequently charged with the offences later that day.

Detective Constable Wesley Johnson said: “Owen clearly went to great lengths not only to evade the police, but to carry on committing crime while he was sought.

“The sheer disregard he has shown to the lives of other road users is appalling and there is no doubt that his actions could have caused significant injuries or even death.

“Our team's tenacity and drive to locate Owen together with the public's overwhelming response to media appeals led to his arrest.

“Owen will now face a considerable time behind bars, away from a community which he blighted with his appalling behaviour and will have to face the consequences of his actions.

“There is no place for criminals like Owen to hide and we will use every tactic and resource to capture those who think they can evade the authorities."