Charlie Foster jailed after leading officers on dangerous pursuit

Charlie Foster, 25, of Lansdown Road, Faringdon, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on 7^thAugust after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

He was jailed for 20 months. He was also disqualified from driving for four years and 10 months and his vehicle was seized.

At around 1.05pm on 10^th July, roads officers PC Beales and PC Venton were on patrol near the County Ground Hotel in Swindon when they became aware of a vehicle of interest – a black Range Rover – coming towards them which was potentially being driven by a disqualified driver.

They moved to pull the Range Rover over, however it mounted the nearside verge onto a grassy area before driving along a footpath and re-entering the carriageway at the junction with Greenbridge Retail Park.

It then collided with another vehicle, before accelerating off.

A pursuit was authorised, during which Foster carried out numerous incredibly dangerous driving manoeuvres, including travelling the wrong way around roundabouts, driving through red lights and diving in and out of traffic.

A stinger was successfully deployed by supporting officers and Foster’s two front tyres were punctured.

As he approached Coleshill in Oxfordshire, Foster decamped before being arrested at taser point.

He was subsequently charged and remanded into custody.

Roads Policing Officer PC Beales said: “Foster’s actions were incredibly dangerous and it is incredibly fortunate that there were no serious injuries.

“He put officers, other road users and himself in significant danger and I’m pleased he’s been given a custodial sentence.”