Brian Butler, 58, has been jailed for 16 months after causing £9,000 worth of damage by ramming a police car during a chase in Newport. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, criminal damage, driving whilst disqualified, and driving with no insurance.
Chase details
Butler was seen driving a Nissan Juke in Newport at around 2am on July 1 by a police officer travelling behind him. Initially, his driving was fine, but when the officer attempted to pull him over, Butler accelerated along Chepstow Road. He reached speeds of 75mph in a 20mph zone.
The police car illuminated its blue lights, but Butler failed to stop. He continued driving at speed through residential areas and entered a cul de sac, where the officer attempted to box the Nissan in. Butler then moved his vehicle back and forth to ram the police car out of the way, causing multiple collisions that left the police car damaged and unroadworthy.
Arrest and sentencing
Butler managed to drive around the police vehicle and escape, but the Nissan was later found abandoned, and a police dog found him hiding nearby. He was also found to be a disqualified driver with no insurance. The damage to the police vehicle was valued at £9,274.
In mitigation, Harry Baker said Butler was getting medication for his mother, who has stage four cancer, and he is her primary carer. Butler tearfully told the judge he had "been an idiot" and worried his mother would die if he was imprisoned. He also mentioned losing his sister.
Recorder Claire Pickthall said she could not pass a suspended sentence due to Butler's previous convictions and his failure to abide by court orders. He was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 30 months.
