Uninsured driver jailed after jumping 13 red lights during Black Country police chase
A young driver with neither insurance nor a valid licence went on a terrifying 16-mile police chase across the Black Country during which he swept through 13 sets of red lights, a judge heard.
Aiden Jimenez had just got a Renault Megan and wanted to show off to friends, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
But the 21-year-old ‘panicked’ when police ordered him to stop and accelerated into the distance in the car that carried false number plates.
“He drove dangerously for 16 miles in a pursuit that lasted for 19 minutes and involved him going through 13 sets of red traffic lights, sometimes on the wrong side of the road, forcing oncoming vehicles to take emergency evasive action, “ explained Mr Andrew Baker, prosecuting.
Jimenez, who was locked up for one year, hit speeds up to 35 mph above the legal limit in a rain storm that created ‘appalling’ driving conditions during the early hours of November 11, the court heard.
Stinger
It was so bad that the pursuing police were on the verge of abandoning the chase when the Megan was finally forced to a standstill in Hagley Road, Stourbridge after its tyres had been burst by a ‘stinger’ laid in its path by other officers.
The defendant, who had allegedly just bought the car, was on licence after being released early from a three year jail term for supplying drugs.
Miss Sabhia Pathan, defending, conceded: “He describes himself as an appalling driver but ironically he had purchased the Megan to further his career prospects and was about to take his driving test when this happened.
“It was caused by bravado. He wanted to show off because he had got a new car. He panicked when he saw a police car with its lights flashing behind him. He knew he had no insurance or valid licence and did not want to got back to prison, so he put his foot down.”
Jimenez, from Westbourne Road, Handsworth, admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop and not having either insurance or licence.
He was locked up for a year with a 12 month driving ban on release by Recorder Abigail Nixon who said: “Your driving was described as getting worse as the pursuit continued. On more than one occasion you drove on the wrong side of the road and had no regard whatsoever for the safety of other road users. Fortunately no accident occurred and nobody was hurt.”
