A driver who pushed over a police officer as he tried to search him has received a suspended sentence.

Matthew Costa, 22, of Gainsford Road, Walthamstow, was on his way home on October 21 when a patrol car began following his vehicle after a police system flagged it up as having a gang affiliation.

After being pulled over, he objected when police moved to search him, believing they could smell cannabis, Thames Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday.

Costa had purchased the car just weeks before and was said to have been feeling harassed after being pulled over twice before.

As he approached his front door, one of the officers grabbed Costa’s arm to stop him walking away.

Officers described him as lunging forward, before pushing one of them down two steps.

The officer hit his head and elbow, before landing on bins.

Costa claimed he just pulled away his arm, causing the officer to stumble.

Costa pleaded guilty to assaulting the officer and possessing cannabis during a court appearance the next day.

While admitting the offences do “cross the custody threshold”, Costa was handed a three-month jail term, suspended for 12 months.

He was also given a curfew between 7am until 7pm for three months and fined £365.