Man caught with stolen goods after high-speed police chase spared jail

A JUDGE gave a Hartcliffe man who led police on a 14-minute high speed chase a chance to stay out of prison.

But he warned Chadley Tolliver: “I’ve exercised some mercy in your case – I won’t do it if you come back.”

Tolliver, 25, of Shortwood Road, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and handling stolen goods after an incident in April last year.

He appeared for sentence at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

Judge William Hart handed him an 11-month jail term suspended for 18 months.

He told him: “Probation says you may be able to do better with compliance than you have in the past. This is your one and only chance.”

Tolliver was banned from driving for 18 months and told to take an extended driving test.

He was handed rehabilitation and told to abide by a 12-week curfew comprising house arrest from 9pm to 6am.

Nadeem Aullybocus, prosecuting, said on a night in April last year burglars targeted an outbuilding at Evercreech. In the raid they stole three motorcycle helmets and an exhaust pipe totalling £650.

Mr Aullybocus said shortly after police spotted a Skoda Fabia, being driven by Tolliver, and when he saw them he spun the car around in a “donut” and made off.

There followed a 14-minute pursuit in which Tolliver drove at speeds as high as 90mph before police deployed a stinger device, he pulled over and was arrested.

The court heard passengers in the car fled. Property stolen in the Evercreech burglary was recovered as were items such as a bolt cropper, crowbar, screwdrivers, pliers, a torch and gloves.

John Stokes, defending, said his client was a new dad with learning difficulties who feared custody. He said Tolliver had matured since the birth of his child and had not offended since.