‘Sheer luck’ nobody died after thief mounts kerbs at 70mph and crashes into police automobile
Ryan Simon, 33, took a car from an address in Port Talbot and attached stolen plates to the vehicle before leading police on a high-speed pursuit reaching 70mph in a 20mph zone
Ryan Simon, 33, took a car and was pursued by police after failing to stop(Image: South Wales Police)
A car thief led police on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle, hitting speeds of up to 70mph in a 20mph zone. The offender, who has a string of previous driving convictions, was banned from driving at the time of the incident.
Ryan Simon, 33, stole a car from an address in Port Talbot on November 21 last year and fitted it with stolen plates to avoid being caught. He also swiped several items from inside the car, including a dash-cam, a driving licence and a stash of cash.
Cardiff Crown Court heard during a sentencing hearing on Tuesday (January 13) that when police approached Simon the following day, he sped off, narrowly avoiding dragging an officer along with the car. As a result of this, police soon began following Simon, as he soon tried to make a getaway.
A police chase ensued, with Simon clocking speeds between 60mph and 70mph in a 20mph zone. He disregarded traffic calming measures, ran a red light, narrowly missed a collision before finally crashing into an unmarked police car, according to Wales Online.
Simon then mounted the kerb, showing “disregard” for pedestrian safety. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Paul Hobson said: “You could have killed somebody, it’s sheer luck you didn’t do so.
“The fact you caused only major damage to the vehicle was sheer good fortune.” Simon, of Kern Close, Sandfields, Port Talbot, later admitted to aggravated vehicle taking, theft from motor vehicle, theft, and driving whilst disqualified.
The court was informed of his previous convictions for a slew of driving offences. These included aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified, taking vehicles without consent, as well as crimes of theft, robbery and burglary.
In mitigation, John Allchurch stated that his client had problems with cocaine but was resolute in tackling that issue. Since being held on remand, he has been participating in drug and alcohol awareness programmes and has been labouring in the prison kitchen.
Simon was handed an 18-month prison sentence. Additionally, the defendant was banned from driving for four years and nine months.
It comes as other police operations hav revealed just some of the dangerous driving that is taking over the UK’s roads. Shocking video was released by officers as part of an appeal for safer driving on motorways after a motorist almost reversed into a lorry whilst on a busy motorway.
The driver could be seen throwing the small white van into reverse and speeds backwards in footage released by police to highlight poor driving.
The driver was charged with driving without due care and attention, fined £1,370 and banned from driving for six months.
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