A flatbed truck operator has been given a suspended prison sentence after he led police on a near 25-mile chase in Cheshire.
Ieuan Griffiths, 21, was stopped by the police at the roadside in Cuddington on 10 August and as an officer left their vehicle to speak to the driver, he drove away at speed.
A pursuit began, with the officer keeping the flatbed in sight as it repeatedly drove through red lights, crossed road markings and drove at excess speed for around 50 minutes as it travelled out of Cheshire and into the West Mercia area.
Officers managed to bring the truck to a halt on a country lane in Whitchurch, but Griffiths left the vehicle and fled on foot.
He was caught soon afterwards when the police found him hiding behind a shed in a nearby caravan park.
Checks showed that he did not possess a driving licence nor any insurance to drive the flatbed lorry. Griffiths was then arrested and taken into custody.
When interviewed by officers, Griffiths said that he had no idea why he led officers on the near hour-long chase and that he did not know why he failed to stop when requested to do so, despite being fully aware that a number of police cars were behind him.
Griffiths pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates’ Court to dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and failing to stop for police.
He was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for two years and banned for two years. Griffiths must also complete an extended test before he can drive again, complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay over £270 worth of fees.
Police Constable Michael Clark, of the roads and crime unit, said: “It is a miracle that Griffiths’ blatant disregard for safety whilst driving did not result in himself, the pursuing officers or any other road users or pedestrians sustaining any serious injuries during this pursuit through Cheshire and out into West Mercia.
“His choice to not only fail to stop for police, but to also take considerable safety risks in an attempt to flee from officers, has now resulted in him being banned from the roads for two years and needing to take an extended test to ensure he is fully fit to get back behind the wheel again.”
