Reckless motorist jailed after ‘truly dreadful piece of dangerous driving’

A reckless and panicking van driver could have killed himself and other people after he desperately tried to escape from the police during a "truly dreadful piece of dangerous driving". Michael Dennett narrowly avoided causing a serious crash after he overtook a car while a lorry was heading towards him in the opposite direction. He was worried about stopping for the police because he already had three speeding tickets but his "highly dangerous" antics landed him in prison, Hull Crown Court[1] heard.

Dennett, 52, of Cedar Drive, Beverley[2], admitted dangerous driving on April 14 and breaching a community order imposed on March 11. Amber Hobson, prosecuting, said that police saw a Mercedes van in Wawne Road, Bransholme[3], and recognised it from already having seen it three times earlier that morning. Officers had to drive at high speed to catch up with the van and followed it while checks were carried out on it.

The van was driven onto the A1079 towards Beverley. It did not slow down and overtook a car while an HGV lorry was coming head-on in the opposite direction. The lorry had to take evasive action to avoid a crash.

The police activated their blue flashing lights because they were concerned that there would be an imminent accident. Dennett was asked to stop but he failed to do so and drove on the wrong side of the road through red traffic lights at about 90mph in a 30mph zone. He drove the wrong way down a one-way street and drove at speed in a pedestrianised area of Beverley town centre.

"The van came to a stop outside Beverley Minster and the driver exited and tried to run away," said Miss Hobson. "He was detained after a short foot chase." The incident included driving in Wawne Road and Bude Road in Bransholme as well as John Newton Way, the A1079, the A164 and, in Beverley, streets including Victoria Road, Woodmansey Mile, Queensgate, Admiral Walker Road, Lairgate, Champney Road, Well Lane, Lord Roberts Road, Minster Moorgate and Highgate. Dennett told police: "I should have stopped.

It's only because I have got three speeding tickets at home." During police interview, he made no comment to all questions. He had convictions for 21 previous offences between 1993 and this year, including drink-driving, threatening behaviour, assault, affray, driving while disqualified and breaching a non-molestation order. "It was a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road and there were highly dangerous manoeuvres," said Miss Hobson. "There was speed significantly in excess of the speed limit."

Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that there had previously been a 12-year gap in Dennett's offending. "Things seem to have started up again," said Miss Scott. "He is finally starting to get himself back on his feet. He is apologetic that he appears back before this court.

He is very, very embarrassed at his reaction to the police. He had some speeding tickets and he was concerned about that."

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We also treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Read our privacy notice here[5]. There had been a previous incident involving Dennett and the police in which CS spray was used on him. "That certainly played a part in why he didn't just stop for the officers, as he should have done," said Miss Scott. "He had speeding tickets that he did not want to get stopped for.

His decision was extremely poor." Recorder Adrian Langdale KC said that it was a "truly dreadful piece of dangerous driving" including driving at speed and on the wrong side of the road. "This was a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road," said Recorder Langdale. "It was obviously highly dangerous manoeuvres that you were performing.

Your speed was significantly in excess of the speed limit. "The only punishment that is appropriate is a custodial one. It was a deliberate attempt to evade the police.

You could have ended up killing yourself or others. If you carry on behaving in the way you did, you present a risk to the public." Dennett, who had been on bail, was jailed for 15 months.

He was banned from driving for three years and seven months and he must pass an extended retest before he can drive legally again.

References

1. ^ Hull Crown Court (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)
2. ^ Beverley (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)
3. ^ Bransholme (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)
4. ^ here (bit.ly)
5. ^ here (bit.ly)