A man who led police on three chases in one night while intoxicated has been sentenced. Kurt Higgs, 34, drove his mother's Ford Fiesta erratically on the M4 between Magor and Newport on March 14, prompting a police pursuit. He left the motorway at Newport but continued at excessive speeds.
Further chases and arrest
Newport Crown Court heard Higgs was involved in two more chases, with footage shown to the court by prosecutor Tim Lewis. The Fiesta was later found abandoned in Malpas Road, and Higgs was discovered loitering nearby at around 3am. The car belonged to his mother, who reported it taken without her consent but refused to engage with the investigation.
After arrest, Higgs refused to provide a sample for testing. At the police station, he used offensive and derogatory language and made screaming noises. Earlier that day, he had entered a BP garage in Malpas Road and taken two bottles of Desperados without paying.
Guilty plea and sentencing
Higgs, of Cwrt Celyn, Cwmbran, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen, driving without insurance, and theft from a shop. He has five previous convictions, including theft.
In mitigation, Rose Glanville said her client has bipolar disorder and psychosis, and on the day he was experiencing severe mental health issues and had been drinking heavily. She said his "emotional wellbeing reached breaking point" and he had little thought for consequences. He is a father of two and keen to return to work.
Recorder John Philpotts sentenced Higgs to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 150 hours unpaid work, and was disqualified from driving for 24 months.
