Learner driver dad led police on dangerous 90mph chase across Walsall in girlfriend’s Nissan

A learner driver who took police on a dangerous 90mph chase after being spotted behind the wheel of his girlfriend's car has walked free from court. Dad-of-two Jordan Jones said he was 'scared' when police caught him driving his partner's Nissan Juke as he made his way to work. The 26-year-old - who only has a provisional licence - had no 'L' plates and was driving alone when he launched into the six-minute high-speed pursuit across Walsall.

He jumped red lights three times, headed towards oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road and pulled 180-degree U-turns in a bid to avoid police. Jones later confessed he only jumped into the driver's seat because he did not want to wake up his girlfriend who had fallen asleep after caring for their newborn. Wolverhampton Crown Court [1] heard how Jones was seen driving his partner's Nissan Juke at about 11.45pm on January 19 last year.

Sign up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here [3] to get the latest updates on the biggest and breaking stories. Police in an unmarked BMW saw him 'driving at speed', reaching 47mph in a 30mph zone along Lichfield [4] Road, Walsall. Officers decided to pull him over but he continued to drive over the limit, speeding at 48mph along Foundry Lane.

He 'accelerated away' as police activated their lights and sirens during the cold and 'frosty' conditions, prosecutor Pat Kelly said. Jones crossed double white lines in the middle of the road, travelling at 78mph in a 30mph area. The convict jumped red traffic lights at 82mph before zooming along Vicarage Road at 81mph.

He overtook another vehicle at 77mph on Fordbrook Lane before slowly to 42mph as he jumped a second red light. Jones - of Griffiths Drive, Wolverhampton - then jumped another red light at 50mph before overtaking a motorist at 59mph. He accelerated to 90mph as he drove along a 'straight stretch' of road.

He then crossed Mellish Road roundabout the wrong way before police attempted to 'box him in', stopping him from entering Walsall [5] town centre. But Jones managed to make off, pulling a 180-degree U-turn. The dad headed down the ring road on the wrong side of the carriageway and towards oncoming traffic.

He made a second U-turn, travelling back the way he came before overtaking two vehicles as he returned towards Mellish Road roundabout.

The defendant eventually stopped as he approached the roundabout, with Jones then arrested by police. He told officers the Nissan Juke belonged to his girlfriend but he was named on the insurance, Mr Kelly said. The court heard how Jones went on to make 'full and frank' admissions when interviewed at Bilston Street police station.

Sarah Turner, defending, said Jones 'regrets' his actions and 'promises not to drive aggressively again'. His partner was due to drive him to work but the new mum was asleep and he 'did not want to wake her'. The defendant - who claims Universal Credit [6] - made an 'impulsive decision' to drive away from police and was worried the vehicle would be confiscated.

Ms Turner added: "He knows it was stupid what he did. He should have been more responsible. He should have stopped for the police officers."

Sentencing [7], Recorder Christopher Millington KC described the offending as a 'bad example of dangerous driving' during 'hazardous' conditions. He said: "The sorts of speeds that you were driving in order to avoid the police would not have even been appropriate on a motorway." Jones admitted dangerous driving and was handed a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years.

He was made subject to a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 80 hours unpaid work, alongside a 12-month driving ban.

The defendant must also pay GBP150 costs and an GBP187 victim surcharge on April 11.

References

^ Court (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ 'Drunk' paedophile who asked schoolgirl for sick pictures walks from court (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ Sign up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ Lichfield (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ Walsall (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ Universal Credit (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ Sentencing (www.birminghammail.co.uk)