London man sentenced for dangerous driving in Northampton

A man who ran red lights and drove on the wrong side of the road in Northampton as he tried to avoid police has been sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

In the early hours of August 21 this year, roads policing officers from Northamptonshire Police spotted a black Volkswagen Golf which records showed did not have valid insurance.

When they went to pull the vehicle over in St Peter’s Way, the driver made off along St Andrew’s Road and into residential streets in Semilong at speeds of up to 60mph, running red lights and repeatedly driving on the wrong side of the road, at one point narrowly avoiding a collision with a lorry.

After striking a kerb and damaging a wheel, the driver eventually had to pull over on the A4500 Weedon Road and was revealed to be 25-year-old London man Mark Daniels.

He was arrested and subsequently charged with driving dangerously and driving without insurance, appearing before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on September 7 to admit the two offences.

A third charge of failing to stop was withdrawn at the court hearing.

Daniels, of Athlone Road, Lambeth, London, was ordered to appear before Northampton Crown Court on Friday, October 20, for sentencing.

He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months, ordered to complete a rehabilitation activity and 100 hours unpaid work requirement, and disqualified from driving for 12 months. He will then have to pass an extended retest before being able to legally drive again.

Speaking afterwards, investigating officer PC Ben Crossland, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “Vehicle checks are the bread and butter of roads policing, and most drivers pull over safely and calmly when we need to speak to them about potential offences.

“Instead, Mark Daniels decided to try to drive off from us, risking not only his own and his three passengers’ safety but that of other road users by speeding at up to 60mph in 30-limit areas, going through major junctions on red lights, and repeatedly travelling on the wrong side of the road, including on a dual carriageway and around the residential Tower Square roundabout.

“He placed everyone in his car and those around it in huge danger by his poor decision-making and faced with the overwhelming evidence provided by our dash-cam footage I’m glad he finally did the right thing and pleaded guilty.

“Drivers who fall so far below the safe and competent levels expected in law have no place on our roads, and we will continue to bring people before the courts in order to keep the roads of Northamptonshire a safer place for everyone.”

Following the court hearing, Northamptonshire Police has released footage of the pursuit and eventual arrest of Daniels.