Nottinghamshire Police have released dashcam footage which shows a van ram police cars while being chased down the M1. The pursuit, which took place in December 2021, spanned 63 miles and four counties.
Officers in Leicestershire first picked up the trail of a stolen Mercedes Sprinter van believed to be using false plates. The van, carrying £40,000 of stolen kitchen equipment taken from a lorry in Milton Keynes, was driven by in-debt drug user Robert Wingate, 24, of HMP Hull, on his way back to Leeds with the stolen loot. His passenger was Deimantas Palaima, 19, of Throstle Row, Middleton, Leeds.
Both men were jailed at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday (February 13) for their roles in the terrifying traffic violation, spanning the M1 from Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire to South Yorkshire. Following the sentencing, police released footage of the chase, captured by police car dashcams, helicopter cameras, and the phone of the criminals.
Read more: Van driver rammed police cars during 63-mile chase along M1
It captures the moment the van spun out a police car, which smashed into the barriers on the side of the motorway, as well as the moment officers eventually brought the van to a halt and arrested the pair. Detective Sergeant Matt Dumbrell, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: “It’s a miracle our two officers who were rammed off the road were not seriously injured.
“This dangerous driving showed total disregard for the safety of others using the road and put the lives of others at serious risk. It was only thanks to determined police teamwork the van was brought to a halt before any further harm was caused.
“I’m pleased Wingate and Palaima have now been locked up and I hope the sentences they have received give them an opportunity to consider their actions.”
Wingate, 24, of no fixed address, was jailed for a total of three years and nine months, which will start at the end of a sentence he is currently serving. He pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, aggravated-vehicle taking, assault, causing bodily harm on the officers by using the van as a weapon, and causing criminal damage on four occasions to police cars. His driving ban was for three years and three months.
Palaima was sent to youth custody for 25 months, of which he serves half, after he pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, two assault, causing bodily harm to police, aggravated vehicle-taking and one charge of causing criminal damage. His driving ban was for 25 months.
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