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Search forFresh out of prison, twice banned... and crazy driver's at it again (with pics)
Wednesday, July 02, 2008, 07:30
A court heard that Christopher Taylor, who had 10 previous driving convictions – including two for dangerous driving – had been freed from prison only days earlier.
Derby Crown Court was shown a video of the car being driven by Taylor, 23, who got into it outside Alfreton's Station Hotel, on May 13.
The court heard that it had often gone on to the wrong side of the road and, on one occasion, when it mounted a pavement, it had smashed the wing mirror of an unmarked police car.
It also went under a bridge, which had been closed for road repairs, causing £400 damage by smashing crash barriers.
Finally, Taylor, of Milton Avenue, Alfreton, left the car in the middle of the road in Pinxton and hid in a nearby pub, said Faye Mellor, prosecuting. She said: “At the time, he was disqualified and had no insurance.”
The Alfa Romeo was later written off by insurers because it would have needed £5,000 worth of repairs to its engine sump, windscreen and driver's door.
When Taylor was questioned by police, he told them he had been asked to drive it to Pinxton “for a small amount of money”, but did not know it had been stolen.
Dominic Shelley, defending, said Taylor had taken the offer to drive the car out of desperation.
He said: “He had shortly been released from custody, tragically with no money, nowhere to go, nothing to do.
“He found it very difficult to find work and saw the opportunity to make some quick money when asked to drive the car.”
Taylor admitted aggravated vehicle-taking, having no insurance and driving while disqualified.
Recorder Sean Smith gave him a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered him to obey a nightly curfew for six months.
Taylor, who had two previous convictions for dangerous driving and eight for driving while disqualified or without a licence, was also put on probation for two years, including 18 months of drug rehabilitation, and banned from driving for a further two years
The recorder told him: “I think this is the best chance of getting you sorted out.
“I am taking a chance with you.”
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Video pictures of the car chase from Alfreton involving Christopher Taylor – driving the white vehicle, top left – taken from a helicopter. Above, Taylor (blue shirt) is apprehended later.
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