Banned driver led police on a 30-mile high-speed chase
A DISQUALIFIED driver led police on a 30-mile high-speed chase along the main road through south west Wales, a court has heard.
Peter Anthony Turner was seen swerving from lane to lane, ignoring red traffic lights, and driving down a closed-off lane sending cones flying across the carriageway.
The 23-year-old from Swansea was only stopped when police used a
“stinger” device to puncture the tyres on his car.
Swansea Crown Court heard the chase began just after 4am on May 19 in Carmarthen town centre.
Ashanti-Jade Walton, prosecuting, said an officer saw a car with four occupants which had a defective rear light – the officer signalled for the car to stop but instead it sped off towards Johnstown.
The court heard the defendant was seen
“swerving from lane to lane” as he drove along at speeds touching 100mph.
Back in Carmarthen he went through a red light at the Pensarn roundabout, and took the A48 heading for Cross Hands and the start of the M4.
By now several police vehicles were involved, and just before the Pont Abraham roundabout a “stinger” device was deployed which punctured the Fiesta’s tyres – police cars then boxed-in the vehicle and prevented it from entering the motorway. Turner was arrested and taken to Haverfordwest police station.
The prosecutor said the total length of the pursuit was some 38.2 miles.
Turner, of Myrddin Gardens, Bonymaen, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to stop when requested to do so, and driving without insurance when he appeared in the dock via videolink for sentencing.
The court heard he has two previous convictions for 10 offences including driving while unfit through drugs, dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified.
Judge Huw Rees described the events of May 19 as a prolonged piece of dangerous driving, and one which had put police officers at considerable risk as they tried to stop it.
Giving the defendant a one-third discount for his guilty pleas he sentenced him to 12 months for dangerous driving and eight months for driving while disqualified – the sentences will run concurrently, making a sentence of 12 months. The defendant was further disqualified from driving for three years.