Man drove stolen car hours after release from jail
AMAN released from prison on licence stole a car after some 18 hours, a court heard. Darren Grey was released on custody and went to a hostel, Bristol Crown Court heard on Tuesday.
But after going out he woke up near Bristol and “foolishly agreed” to drive a stolen Fiat Abarth back to the city.
Police called in to find the missing vehicle saw it being driven by Grey and tried to pull him over, but he led them on a short, high-speed pursuit before crashing.
Grey, 47, of Logos House in Wade Street, Bristol, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and uninsured, and theft.
The court was told he had 53 previous convictions for 170 offences, including multiple driving offences.
The recorder Mr James Bromige jailed him for 18 months and banned him from driving for four years and nine months.
Mr Bromige told Grey: “You are what can only be described as a serial offender.”
Joseph Broadway, prosecuting, said the car’s owner reported the vehicle missing early on October 9 and police tracked Grey driving it towards Bristol Airport.
Grey was clocked travelling at a speed of around 90mph on the 50mph
A38 and was seen driving on the wrong side of the road, forcing a bus to brake, and jumping a red traffic light.
After speeding through a 30mph limit at 80mph he attempted to drive the wrong way around a roundabout, clipped the kerb and crashed the car at around 60mph.
Grey was then arrested, admitted driving the car but denied stealing it.
He told police he didn’t care, saying: “I’m going to jail anyway”.
Daniel Woodman, defending, told the court he had represented Grey before, but “this is the first time he’s ever expressed to me in terms of ‘I’ve had enough.’”
Mr Woodman said that his client had been asked to take a car to Bristol and he had foolishly agreed to do so.
The court was told that Grey intended to use his time wisely in custody, take courses, come out and start afresh.