Man led police on 80mph chase before fleeing vehicle
A MAN led police on a high-speed pursuit along a busy Cardiff road which saw other drivers swerve out of the way to avoid a head-on collision.
Kieron Mackie, 25, drove at speeds of around 80mph as he tried to escape officers having got behind the wheel of a car with no licence or insurance.
During the chase, which lasted a matter of minutes, Mackie, of Clos Hafren, Trowbridge, narrowly avoided hitting a cyclist and collided with another car as he tried to overtake it.
After turning into a small cul-desac, he fled the vehicle and was later found at a nearby property where he was arrested.
He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing on Friday,
August 5, having previously pleaded guilty to four driving offences, namely dangerous driving, driving with no licence, driving with no insurance and failing to stop after being told to by police.
Joshua Scouller, prosecuting, told the court that shortly after 1pm on June 15, Mackie was seen by an officer from South Wales Police in the Burnham Avenue area of Llanrumney, driving a Ford Fiesta. He made efforts to conceal his identity from the officer, who followed him as he drove onto Mount Pleasant Avenue.
As the Fiesta increased its speed, it was noticed by the officer that the car was registered to a female driver. The pursuit then began, with Mackie driving between 50 and 60mph, overtaking cars with those travelling in the other direction having to swerve out of the way to avoid a collision.
Dashcam footage played to the court showed he then approached a roundabout on Newport Road at around 80mph, and narrowly avoided a head-on collision. As he overtook cars, he collided with one, although the court later heard that no substantial damage was done.
After driving down Llaneirwg Way at speed, Mackie turned onto Willowbrook Drive, having also come close to colliding with a cyclist. He then turned onto Hazelwood Drive and ended up in a cul-de-sac, which led him to fleeing the vehicle.
He was chased by the pursuing officer, with another officer giving chase on a push bike. They followed him to nearby Redwood Close and he was later found at a property on that road, where he was arrested. He was later interviewed by police and admitted his offending.
Defence counsel Derrick Gooden, mitigating, said that while the footage of the chase “did not make for pleasant viewing”, his client had previously made a “full and frank admission” to the offences. He added that before the incident, Mackie had recently suffered the breakdown of his relationship with his former partner and had been unable to see his daughter.
“He apologises not just to the court for his actions but to his family who are here to support him today,” said Mr Gooden. “This incident was entirely out of character and he hopes to put this matter behind him.”
Sentencing Mackie, Judge Michael Fitton QC said: “The fact that nobody was injured or more damage was done is more because of luck than management. You were barely in control of that car.”
Mackie was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He must also undergo a 15 day rehabilitation activity requirement, while he has been disqualified for driving for two years, and must take an extended driving test in order to regain a licence.