A recruitment consultant driving a BMW passed police at 120mph on the M32 before crashing into a car, a court heard. Marcus Cowan, who had drank alcohol, panicked when police gave chase.
Bristol Crown Court was told he left the motorway and drove dangerously before hitting a Mercedes. After damaging his own car he slowed, drove into a dead end, tried to flee but was arrested. Cowan, 37, of Stanbridge Road, Downend, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving in January. The recorder Mr Tom Brown imposed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
The judge told Cowan: "In this case, Marcus Cowan, the absence of serious injury or death was a matter of chance. There was a very high risk of harm to innocent members of the public and also to police officers who were acting in the course of their duties. Neither advocate doubts that this offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate."
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Cowan was banned from driving for 12 months and told to pass an extended driving test. He was ordered to carry out 140 hours' unpaid work and pay £1,000 compensation and £440 court costs. Mandla Ndlovu, prosecuting, said Cowan passed police and they activated their sirens and blue lights. But he failed to stop and left the M32 at the Eastville roundabout and jumped a red traffic light.
On Fishponds Road he slowed as if to stop, the court heard. He then made off at speed, was blocked by another car on Whitehall Road, but managed to evade it and sped off again. Mr Ndlovu said: "The defendant almost collided with a vehicle but the driver braked heavily. The defendant drove towards a Mercedes, was unable to avoid a collision and he hit the rear offside of the Mercedes."
The court heard Cowan tried to ram a police car but having damaged his BMW he slowed, Having drove into Stapleton Road he jumped another red traffic light before stopping in a dead end , trying to flee but getting arrested. He was interviewed and made full and frank admissions.
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Matthew Comer, defending, said the incident was utterly out of character for his client, who provided a real help to members of his family. Mr Comer told the judge Cowan came to court with his bag packed in case of custody. He told the court: "No-one was seriously injured and I accept that's fortunate. He realises on the day in question he acted incredibly stupidly."
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