A DISQUALIFIED Coventry driver who failed to stop for police and ended up crashing into a tree has been jailed for 16 months.
Officers spotted a red Transit van being driven with a flat tyre on the A46 near Wootton Wawen at around 1pm on August 25, but despite them trying to stop the vehicle, the driver, Remus Bahica, continued.
A pursuit began, with police using a stinger to stop the van, which ended up colliding with a tree.
The 32-year-old was arrested by officers and, having already been banned from driving and having no insurance, was charged with driving a motor vehicle dangerously and using it on a road or public place without third party insurance.
He was also charged with failing to stop a mechanically propelled vehicle when required by a constable or traffic warden and driving while disqualified.
Bahica, of Ransom Road, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 months in prison and banned from driving for 44 months at Warwick Crown Court.
He was also made to pay a victim surcharge of £187.
PC Lauren Bradley said: “Bahica apologised for his actions, however this does not take away from the fact that he knowingly put all other road users at risk.
“Bahica hit a tree while trying to escape police so I hope he’ll take time to reflect while behind bars on how much worse the consequences of his actions could have been.
“Driving without a licence or insurance is incredibly reckless and it is by sheer luck that no one other than Bahica was injured during his course of driving dangerously and failing to stop.
“We will always do everything we can to pursue those involved in dangerous driving and make sure we can bring them to justice where possible to ensure the safety of the public.”
