A banned driver led police on a dangerous high-speed chase that ended when he jumped out of a moving van in a bid to escape.
Robert Holiday had no insurance and was disqualified from driving when police caught him behind the wheel of a VW van with a passenger on October 1 this year. Upon seeing the police, the 34-year-old took off, leading officers on a five minute chase that saw him hit speeds of up to 85mph before jumping out of the vehicle and letting it plough into a fence.
After a short chase on foot, Holiday, who has an "awful record" of dangerous driving convictions, was arrested but asked police if there was any chance they could "get rid" of the dangerous driving offence. Holiday, of Stanley Way, Billy Row, Crook, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Wednesday to be sentenced for dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, resisting arrest and driving without insurance. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
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Tabitha Buck, prosecuting, said when police attempted to approach Holiday as he was driving a VW van, he "made off at speed" and began a "lengthy pursuit". She said: "The defendant reached 85mph and failed to give way at junctions, riskily overtook vehicles and drove the wrong way round a roundabout. He drove off the road in a residential area."
She added: "While driving, the defendant and a male passenger parked the vehicle while it was still moving and jumped out. The vehicle crashed into a fence and into someone's garden. There was a foot pursuit and when police detained the defendant he resisted by clenching his fists and going rigid."
The court was told Holiday had an "extraordinary history for driving offences" and had 23 previous convictions for 65 offences. He had also been given a 16 week prison sentence for driving whilst disqualified, which pre-dated the October offences, and appeared at the court via link from HMP Durham.
Mark Styles, defending, said Holiday had got back into employment and said the chase occurred after he "completely panicked". He said: "He got behind the wheel as someone let him down. He had applied for his licence and was aiming to take his theory test." Mr Styles added: "He is hoping to get back into gainful employment and provide for his daughter."
Sentencing Holiday, Judge Jo Kidd said he undertook the chase on an afternoon when two pedestrians, one of which was an elderly woman, had to take action to avoid being hit by his van. She said upon arrest, Holiday asked police: "Is there any chance of getting rid of the dangerous driving?" Holiday was jailed for 18 months and banned from driving for 45 months.
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