A disqualified driver has been jailed after failing to stop for traffic cops in Swindon.
Kieran Wheeler pleaded guilty to eight offences – including the breach of two suspended sentences – and appeared at Swindon Crown Court for sentencing on 14 November.
Roads policing officers initially witnessed the 26-year-old driving a black Mazda 3 travelling on Marlborough Road in Swindon with a defective headlight.
The vehicle turned off at Marlborough Road onto Day House Lane without indicating. Officers followed Wheeler and the vehicle was seen to swerve, almost colliding with the verge before coming to a stop.
Officers illuminated blue lights but Wheeler attempted to reverse before then wheel spinning and driving off through a narrow opening in a fence, and at speed across a footpath onto a field where it became stuck.
Wheeler ran off but was swiftly detained. He initially gave false details but was later found to be driving whilst disqualified and without insurance and was arrested.
In custody, he failed to provide an evidential sample of blood for drug analysis.
Having admitted driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to provide a specimen, obstructing police and two counts of failing to stop, he was jailed for 12 months.
He was also given a two-year driving ban plus an extension period of six months and ordered to pay a surcharge of £187.
PC Luke Hobbs said: “Wheeler did everything in his power to evade police, driving off at speed despite officers requesting him to stop, running from police and later giving false details and failing to provide.
“His standard of driving showed absolutely no regard for other road users or pedestrians – it is extremely fortunate that nobody was injured or worse killed as a result of Wheeler’s selfish and mindless actions.
“I’m pleased a custodial sentence has been given on this occasion. His actions could have had extremely serious consequences and it is only right that he must now serve a prison sentence as well as a lengthy driving ban.”
