An aggressive driver took his partner's mother's car without permission and crashed it during a police chase which resulted in the vehicle landing on its side. He had earlier sworn at another driver and called him a "c***".
Gareth Marshall, 30, took the Suzuki Swift and sped through the streets of Newport when he was seen by police driving on Caerleon Road. He pulled out of York Road and was seen using a mobile phone so the police began to follow him.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday heard Marshall slammed his brakes on after nearly colliding with another car in Duckpool Road. He wound his window down and said to the other driver "Why didn't you give way to me you c***?".
At this point, the police illuminated their blue lights but the defendant pulled off and sped away, reaching 70mph in a 30mph zone. He overtook another car stopped at red traffic lights and drove through.
Prosecutor Hannah Friedman said the police car held back slightly not to encourage Marshall but minutes later they discovered the driver had crashed and the car ended up on its side. They approached the defendant, who was still inside the car and when he climbed out he was taken to the floor and arrested. It was later discovered he was disqualified from driving and was believed to be under the influence.
Marshall, of Howe Circle, later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and driving whilst disqualified. The court heard he had previous convictions for driving without due care and attention, dangerous driving and failing to stop, for which he was disqualified for two years.
Defence barrister Josh Scouller said his client's period of driving was "relatively short" but conceded the defendant "did not have an attractive record". He said the father-of-four's partner was now expecting a baby and was keen to be there for the birth. He also said Marshall had been diagnosed with PTSD while in prison, due to his father taking his own life two years ago.
Sentencing, Recorder Sean Bradley said: "You drove dangerously to get away from police and at high speeds. You did cause some harm and damaged another car."
Marshall was sentenced to nine months imprisonment. He was also disqualified from driving for three years and four months.
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