A dangerous driver claimed he sped off through a red traffic light away from police because his brother was ‘being chased’ through a park.
Aptly named Kyle Plank, 23, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court earlier this month where he pleaded guilty to driving dangerously on 16 May this year.
Prosecutor Keith Ballinger said the Vauxhall Corsa owner, of Park Lane, Lydiard Millicent, was spotted speeding by PC Woodward at around 4pm.
The officer attempted to catch up with Plank in Lydiard Green towards Hook, where the road is a narrow and windy carriageway.
Despite PC Woodward travelling at 60mph in a custody transport van, he was unable to keep up.
Eventually, he located the vehicle stuck behind three cars at roadworks on a bend, where traffic was being controlled by two-way traffic lights.
MORE COURT: Man who stalked ex-girlfriend for five months left her feeling ‘immense fear’
The officer illuminated his blue lights and stepped out of the police van before Plank took off at speed – overtaking the cars ahead of him and travelling through the red light, despite not being able to see if oncoming traffic was coming around the corner.
Deciding it was not safe to proceed through the red lights, PC Woodward did not follow the Corsa and it was lost to sight.
Armed with a partial registration plate, the officer later identified the defendant as the driver and arrested him.
In an interview in custody, Plank claimed he had received a phone call from his brother who said he was being chased by people through Lydiard Park, panicked and rushed to his aid.
Charlotte Frizzell, defending, said her client has been driving for six years and had, until today, an “impeccable driving record”.
The case was adjourned until 24 January for a pre-sentence report to be compiled. Plank was handed an interim driving disqualification.
