West Berkshire man jailed for dangerous driving
He collided with another car after failing to stop for Police
A man has been jailed for dangerous driving after a collision in Reading.
Brendan Banham, 22, of Briff Lane, Hermitage, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 17 July, where he was sentenced to nine months in prison and will be subject to a 24-month driving disqualification and will be disqualified until he has completed an extended driving test.
He pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving whilst disqualified and using a motor vehicle on a road/public place without third party insurance.
This is in connection with an incident on Wednesday 9 July in which a silver Ford Fiesta that had earlier failed to stop for police in Thatcham was seen by officers on Amblecote Road in Reading.
On seeing police, the car drove away erratically and at speed before crashing into a second car on Reading Road a short time later. No-one was injured.
Banham, who was the driver of the Fiesta, attempted to flee the scene but was arrested nearby following a short foot pursuit. He was charged on Thursday 10 July.
Investigating officer Police Constable Matthew Fairman, of Berkshire West’s Incident & Crime Response team, said: “We are pleased that Banham will now face the consequences of his selfish and reckless actions in prison.
“Thankfully nobody was injured, but this incident could have had much more serious consequences. Dangerous driving has serious long-term consequences beyond imprisonment, including losing your job, facing increased car-insurance costs and changing the lives of those that you may injure as a result of your actions.
“By driving dangerously, you immediately pose a threat to the safety of yourself, your passengers, other drivers and pedestrians. And if found guilty, the consequences could last a lifetime. It’s never worth the risk.”