28.2 C
Accra
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
WorldDriver sentenced to prison for causing £55,000 damage to police cars

Date:

Driver sentenced to prison for causing £55,000 damage to police cars

A man who was stopped for driving while ineligible for the fourth time was given a jail sentence after a high-speed chase with the police.

Matthew Woody-Jones rammed four Gwent Police cars as he tried to run across the Prince of Wales Bridge, which connects Wales and England.

In court, he claimed that he escaped at speeds of between 60 and 80 mph because he chose to be detained in England’s jail system over Wales’ because it was closer to his home.

Woody-Jones, 34, had 33 convictions for 68 violations in addition to his three prior convictions for operating a vehicle when disqualified.

The father was banned from driving at the time of the incident on the M4 which took place in the early hours of April 6.

Woody-Jones’s silver Ford Transit van was caught on police dashcam footage weaving across lanes during the 12-mile pursuit.

Officers tried to stop him with their blue lights on a number of times but he refused to pull over, driving dangerously towards Newport and the Prince of Wales Bridge.

The driving conditions were dark and wet and while police tried to box Woody-Jones in, he continued to escape by abruptly reversing and trying to drive the wrong way across the bridge.

Man jailed for causing ?50,000-worth of damage to police cars
Matthew Woody-Jones was jailed yesterday (Picture: Gwent Police)

Prosecutor Martha Smith-Higgins told Cardiff crown court: ‘The van then slammed its brakes on during the course of the stretch of the Prince of Wales Bridge before attempting to drive the wrong way.

‘Officers reversed to block the van, but as they did so this defendant drove forward again.

‘As he did, he collided with a number of police cars as he made off.’

In total Woody-Jones, a renderer from Bedminster, Bristol, caused £56,416.58 worth of damage to four police cars.

In his defence, Rhodri Chudleigh said Woody-Jones was suffering with stress after the rent on his family home increased by £500 a month – and he ‘panicked’ when he saw the police cars due to his previous convictions.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and causing criminal damage to the four vehicles.

On Monday he was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment by Recorder Andrew Hammond.

Woody-Jones was also banned from driving for an additional two years and eight months after his release from prison.

Mr Hammond said: ‘You placed these police officers in a desperately dangerous situation through the way in which you drove where they had to take controlled but drastic action to bring this pursuit to an end.

‘It’s striking that South Wales is indeed fortunate to have officers of such skill and courage who are willing to put themselves very much in harm’s way to protect the public from people like you.

‘You displayed a complete disregard for the safety of those officers and other road users and drove in a way which truly was dangerous.

‘This offence has caused significant damage to four police vehicles totalling in excess of £55,000 worth of damage.

‘And of course, resulting in those four police vehicles needing to be taken off the road while they are repaired and therefore not available for police duties.’

Superintendent Mike Richards said: ‘Matthew Woody-Jones drove dangerously on the M4, placing other road users directly at risk through his reckless actions.

‘He refused to stop several times for officers when instructed to do so and was eventually brought to a halt on the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

‘Officers following his van used several tactics designed to keep motorists safe, including keeping his van on the M4 and away from public or residential areas.

‘As he was disqualified from driving, he simply should not have been using a vehicle on the motorway that night.

‘We’ll not tolerate behaviour that puts lives at risk on our roads and any motorist caught driving dangerously will be prosecuted.’

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

Catholic Bishops, Christian Council bemoan absence from National Education Forum

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) and the Christian...

Parliament, GSS review draft Memorandum of Understanding

The Parliamentary Service of Ghana, through its Data Management...

DDEP: Finance Ministry disburses GHC6bn to bondholders

President John Mahama has instructed the Ministry of Finance...

NSS Scandal: 72-year-old Kenyan, other ‘oldies’ names discovered on payroll

An investigation by The Fourth Estate has revealed serious...

Ibrahim Tia recounts harrowing attack at Walewale Chief’s Palace

The North East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, has recounted...

Kumasi power outages linked to technical challenges, not ‘dumsor’ – ECG

The Public Relations Officer for the Electricity Company of...

Otumfuo endorses Warrior King for crafting world-class products

Otumfuo Osei Tutu has praised Warrior King Watches for...

Related stories

Netanyahu applauds Trump’s daring plan for Gaza during meeting with Rubio

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced that he is...

Trump files Supreme Court appeal on removal of US agency leader

Former President Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme...

“I still consider it my biggest failure” – Bill Gates on life after divorce

Bill Gates is speaking candidly about his divorce from Melinda French...

Kanye West reclaims title as wealthiest rapper, surpassing JAY-Z

Kanye West has reportedly reclaimed the title of the...

Meta offers TikTokers $5,000 to join Facebook, Instagram

Social media giant Meta has offered to pay up...

About 1,600 Capitol riot defendants pardoned by Trump

President Donald Trump has issued pardons or commuted sentences...

LIVESTREAMING: Swearing-in ceremony for Donald Trump

Today marks the beginning of Donald Trump's second term...