'˜Idiot' driver who nearly caused two head-on collisions trying to evade Northants Police avoids jail

Jason Blakeley, aged 24, was driving a Vauxhall Vectra in Nest Lane, Wellingborough, when he saw a marked police car parked up on the side of the road.

Northampton Crown Court heard Blakeley drew the attention of the officers by speeding away from the police car.

Dominic Woolard, prosecuting, said the officers put the blue lights and siren on and pursued Blakeley’s vehicle.

Mr Woolard said Blakeley drove the wrong way around a roundabout, causing a vehicle to mount the pavement to avoid a collision. Blakeley was then seen to overtake a lorry on a blind bend.

Blakeley was finally arrested after he drove into an industrial estate and then got out of his vehicle and hid in a warehouse.

After he was taken to the police station Blakeley made admissions that his driving was dangerous and he was found to have no licence or insurance.

Recorder Graham Huston, sentencing, said Blakeley’s driving was a cause of “real concern”.

He said: ”You were travelling at speeds in excess of the limits and narrowly avoided two head-on collision.

“In these courts we have to deal with cases where someone has lost their life due to driving by idiots like you

“If you were in court to see the families of the victims of these cases you’d understand why driving like this has such serious consequences.”

Recorder Huston sentenced Blakeley, of Windsor Road, Wellingborough, to nine months in prison, suspended for two years. He must complete a 40-day rehabilitation programme and a 50-day thinking skills course. He has been banned from driving for two years.