Heartbroken man who led police on 30-minute chase is jailed
A heartbroken man who led police on a 30-minute car chase across Telford after he had an argument with his girlfriend and threatened suicide, has been jailed for eight months.
Jack Hodgson, of Quines Close, Muxton, had previously admitted a charge of dangerous driving on October 8.
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that police had been called to an address in Broseley at 10.20am to reports of a domestic incident. But before they arrived the 22-year-old, who had said he wanted to take his own life, had got into his Rover car and driven off.
He was then chased across Telford, though Muxton, Wombridge, Lilleshall and towards Newport by police who used their lights and sirens at speeds of up to 80mph.
Mr Rob Edwards, prosecuting, told the court that Hodgson overtook vehicles, raced through a car park, ignored road signs and failed to stop when told to do so by police.
"Police decided to deploy the stinger in an attempt to stop the defendant," said Mr Edwards.
"But the defendant mounted the pavement and avoided the stinger. The front tyre was punctured but he drove on."
Hodgson was only stopped when officers performed a tactical impact, causing his vehicle to come to a halt. On arrest Hodgson struggled with officers and had to be Tasered twice before he could be handcuffed.
Mr Delroy Henry, for Hodgson, said: "The stupidity of youth has no bounds.
"He embarked on a spree of dangerous driving that went on for some time. This was a horrendous spate of driving. No injury was caused to any other individual but that was by good fortune rather than by design."
In sentencing Hodgson to imprisonment Judge Robin Onions said: "You took your life and your safety into your hands and also the life and safety of other road users as well."
Hodgson was also disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay a £100 statutory charge.
