A DANGEROUS driver has avoided jail after hitting a car with a child inside and throwing a brick at a windscreen in Oxford.

Nathaniel Jackson, of Wynbush Road, Oxford, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday (June 28) for one count each of dangerous driving, criminal damage, common assault, and failing to comply with providing a specimen of breath.

The 45-year-old, who has a schizoaffective disorder, had taken cocaine and cannabis on January 13 this year before driving dangerously in Oxford City Centre.

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He damaged another motorist's car after overtaking him and throwing a brick at his window before being pursued by police.

Jackson was handed a 15-month prison sentence suspended for two years by Judge Ian Pringle, who said: “It must have been terrifying for him [the other motorist] and his family indeed, his little daughter began to cry.

“It was bizarre behaviour. The manner of your driving was putting the public at risk and the police had to call off the pursuit.”

During the sentencing, prosecutor Andrea Lynch said that the other motorist had been driving down Cowley Road with his wife, daughter and mother-in-law when Jackson ‘suddenly’ overtook and blocked the road.

He proceeded to get out of the car and started shouting at the man before throwing a brick at his car, breaking the windscreen.

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The other motorist's daughter was ‘completely terrified’ and began to cry while Jackson drove away.

He was stopped by police in Abingdon Road and began to throw stones around before driving away over a grass verge, ignoring red lights and hitting two cars – one of which had a young child inside.

Police had to call off the pursuit for safety concerns.

Jackson then later was arrested near Cowley Road Police Station and tested positive for a roadside drug test. However, he refused to provide a blood sample once inside the station.

He refused to participate in the police interview and had to be asked questions through the cell. He spat and kicked the door and his only answer was: “Suck your mum”.

Defending Jackson, his barrister Gordana Austen said that Jackson had not taken his medication for schizoaffective disorder which resulted in the incident.

She said he has expressed remorse and wants to apologise to all parties involved.

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It was heard that Jackson had ‘stayed out of trouble’ for 10 years and has taken a victim awareness course while in custody.

Jackson will also need to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 58 rehabilitation activity days.

He was also disqualified from driving for 19 months.