Driver rams police car and hits 130mph in chase through villages
An ‘utterly reckless’ driver has been jailed for ramming into a police car before leading them on a dangerous chase.
Mikey Lee Neasham, 27, was driving an uninsured car and he only held an expired provisional licence when he drove straight at a police car on January 30 of this year.
He was cornered in a cul-de-sac, but rammed the police car multiple times to make his escape.
Despite the front bumper of his car falling off he escaped and led police on a dangerous chase, at speeds of up to 130mph.
He drove through a number of North Yorkshire villages including Skelton and Shipton-by-Beninbrough, taking corners at 100mph and carrying out a handbrake turn to try and escape police.
Neasham eventually lost control of his car, crashing off the road into nearby fields.
He appeared at York crown court on Friday after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and criminal damage.
Neasham, of Wenham Road in York, was sentenced to 17 months imprisonment, banned from driving for two years, and ordered to take an extended driving test if he ever tries to get a licence in future.
Traffic Constable Jack Dodsworth took over the pursuit after his colleague’s car was seriously damaged by the ramming.
He said: ‘Neasham’s driving was exceptionally dangerous.
‘The speeds he reached as he travelled through Skelton and Shipton-by-Beningbrough were utterly reckless and it was only through sheer luck that he didn’t cause a serious or fatal collision.
‘Also, the damage he caused to my colleague’s vehicle was extensive, meaning that a valuable policing resource that’s used to keep the public of North Yorkshire safe was off the road for some time.
‘I hope the sentence handed to Neasham sends a clear message to those who have a cavalier attitude to road safety.’
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