Sean Howells, 30, drove at four times the speed limit during a police chase, reaching 80mph in a 20mph zone before crashing his Citroën Berlingo van into a pursuing police car. The incident occurred in the early hours of March 19 on the A4059 near Mountain Ash, Merthyr Tydfil.
Chase details and speeds
Prosecutor Mike Powell told Merthyr Tydfil magistrates' court that an officer spotted Howells' van ahead and illuminated his lights to signal a stop. Instead, Howells accelerated, reaching 80mph in a 40mph zone, then 60mph in a 30mph zone. He drove through a red light and later hit 80mph in a built-up area with a 20mph limit.
Two police cars pursued Howells. When they attempted a box stop manoeuvre, one patrol car blocked the front and another behind. Howells shunted the front patrol car from behind, causing it to fishtail and crash against the A4059 fencing. The van stopped nearby, and Howells was arrested.
Drug connection and previous offence
Howells gave a positive reading for a controlled drug, but blood test results were pending due to forensic delays. He had been fined and banned from driving for 12 months for drug-driving in the previous year, with the ban ending shortly before this incident.
His solicitor Ross Williams said: "My client is clearly willing to engage with substance misuse support services and get back in employment. His misuse of controlled substances is the predominant factor in his offending behaviour." Williams added that Howells has a six-year-old daughter and must stop drug misuse to remain in her life.
Sentence and rehabilitation
Howells pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to stop for a police officer. Presiding Justice Mary Morris described his driving as "utterly appalling" but imposed a one-year jail term suspended for two years, citing rehabilitation potential. He also received a two-year driving ban, a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement, 20 days of rehabilitation activity, 150 hours of unpaid work, a £187 victim services surcharge, and £85 in prosecution costs.
