TWO thieves have been jailed after they dragged a police officer down the road with their car while trying to escape with a pensioner’s cash.

The jailed pair, Alice Smith, 31, and Elaine Cochrane, 40, both from Harlow, were both sentenced at Chelmsford Crown court.

Cochrane was found guilty of dangerous driving and was sentenced to 15 weeks in prison and disqualified from driving for 12 months. She was found not guilty of actual bodily harm and robbery.

Smith was sentenced to 30 months in prison after admitting two counts of ABH and robbery. The sentence was later reduced to two years.

Police Officer, Paul Marks, was off duty when he spotted a 77-year-old man being robbed of his money inside Co - Op in Bush Fair, Harlow, in October 2015.

The officer gave chase, and managed to grab Smith when she got into a red Mercedes. He suffered injuries to his knees and upper body as he was dragged down the road, but was able to take down the number plate, leading to the pair’s arrest.

Investigating officer detective constable, Leo Fordham, said: “Pc Paul Marks instinctively placed himself on duty after witnessing a vulnerable man being robbed of his pension money and bravely gave chase.

“PC Marks’ actions went beyond the call of duty and resulted in two people being bought to justice.”