A drink-driver reached speeds up to 110mph before crashing into signage on a roundabout during a police chase. Dashcam footage showed him ramming into the back of a police car causing his bumper to fall off.
Ieuan Hale, 25, of Blackwood, was under the influence of alcohol when he drove a blue Citroen DS3 at speed in Gelligaer, Caerphilly, in the early hours of September 19 last year. At around 2.40am he was seen driving erratically in Aneurin Bevan Avenue by a police officer who attempted to pull him over.
A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Wednesday heard Hale increased his speed and failed to stop for the officer before driving around an estate for four minutes. He then turned left onto Gelligaer Common towards Bargoed at 75mph as the pursuing officer asked for assistance from colleagues.
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Prosecutor Thomas Stanway said the defendant turned onto Mountain Road, past the Biffa Waste Transfer, before entering the Heads of the Valleys Road towards Dowlais Top. As Hale approached the exit for Rhymney he reached speeds of 110mph before exiting the road at Ebbw Vale, still travelling at 100mph, before circling a roundabout and heading back onto the Heads of the Valleys Road towards Merthyr Tydfil.
He exited the road again at Dowlais Top at speeds of 105mph and mounted a roundabout before heading towards Pentrebach and the A470. At one point one of his front wheel tyres came off and the defendant's car was sparking on the road surface.
Police attempted a box manoeuvre but Hale rammed into the back of a police car before driving off again at speed despite his bumper falling off. He then failed to negotiate a roundabout and crashed through signage at a roundabout at 3.13am. Hale left the car and attempted to run away but was detained near the scene. The defendant had travelled around 26 miles during the pursuit.
Upon his arrest Hale tested positive for alcohol and later gave a reading of 49mg per 100ml of breath. He said to the arresting officer: "I'm sorry, I was being an idiot. I was driving looking for my dog. I'm sorry officer, I'm sorry."
Hale, of Chambers House, Pontllanfraith, later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drink-driving, failing to stop, and driving without a licence and insurance. The court heard he had one previous conviction for battery in 2017.
In mitigation William Bebb said his client was "horrified" by the way he had acted and realised he had put the lives of the police and other road users in danger. The barrister said the defendant has a young daughter and was progressing well in his job which had given him some stability.
Sentencing, Judge Neil Bidder KC described Hale's driving as "grossly offensive" but acknowledge the defendant had issues with alcohol and cannabis and was suffering with anxiety and depression. He sentenced Hale to eight months imprisonment suspended for two years. Hale was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for three years.
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