M40 driver who made U-turn then rammed police car pleaded ‘I weren’t doing nothing’

A driver pleaded 'I weren't doing nothing' after making a U-turn on the M40 and ramming a police car. Stuart Jones had led officers on a dangerous chase. It started when he rammed a police car and followed it in his van, before fleeing the scene.

He continued to drive out of Stratford, often on the wrong side of the road, and without lights on. Once on the M40, he did a U-turn and drove the wrong way into oncoming traffic. But officers were close behind.

They managed to stop the van on Lane 3 but he remained firmly inside. Body worn camera footage shows a police officer shouting for him to 'get out'. Another officer smashes the passenger window while the van driver opens the door.

Jones was asked what he was doing, to which he responded 'I weren't doing nothing'. The 48-year-old of Himley Road, Dudley was arrested.

He later went on to plead guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and assaulting police. Jones was sentenced to 71 weeks in prison.

Watch the police footage below

Speaking after the court case, Sergeant Sadie Shearsby said: "The officer who was driving the police vehicle was assaulted during this incident - something emergency service workers shouldn't have to face while on duty.

"This job could have easily escalated, and serious harm could have been caused to the officers, our police dogs, members of the public and the defendant - so the quick stop of the vehicle on the M40 was a great tactical response."

Sgt Shearsby added: "The teamwork shown and the officers hard work and efforts have helped to bring this case to a successful conclusion."

References

1. ^ 'Our son begged for help and no one listened - he should still be here' (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
2. ^ University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire 'named and shamed' as among England's worst (www.coventrytelegraph.net)