A father's reckless decision to flee from police in a stolen Audi ended in a dramatic woodland crash and a substantial prison sentence, a court has heard.
Kane O'Brien, 31, made a desperate attempt to escape pursuing officers by driving the powerful vehicle directly into dense woodland near Braintree, Essex. The high-speed chase culminated in the silver Audi A3 slamming into multiple trees, leaving the car wrecked and O'Brien trapped inside.
The Dramatic Chase and Capture
Emergency services rushed to the scene following reports of the crash in the early hours of the morning. Firefighters worked for nearly an hour to cut O'Brien free from the mangled wreckage of the stolen vehicle.
"The defendant made the conscious decision to drive into a wooded area in an attempt to get away from police," prosecutor Lesla Small told Chelmsford Crown Court. "He drove at speed through the woodland before the vehicle collided with several trees."
Criminal History Catches Up
The court heard how O'Brien's criminal past played a significant role in his sentencing. With 17 previous convictions for 32 offences, including multiple driving violations, the judge took a firm stance.
O'Brien pleaded guilty to multiple charges including handling stolen goods, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, and failing to provide a specimen. His defence argued he had panicked when seeing police, but this did little to mitigate the serious nature of his actions.
Substantial Prison Sentence
Judge Christopher Morgan delivered a stern sentence of 20 months imprisonment, emphasizing the danger O'Brien had posed to both police and the public.
"You have an appalling record for driving offences and you knew you were disqualified," Judge Morgan stated. "Driving in this manner through woodland showed a complete disregard for the safety of others."
In addition to the prison term, O'Brien received a further three-year driving ban, ensuring he won't be behind the wheel legally for the foreseeable future.
