Driver who led high-speed pursuit through Bridgwater sentenced
Dean Lawrence was chased through residential streets while high
A man that led police down residential streets as part of a high-speed pursuit has been sentenced.
Avon and Somerset Police were called to an incident taking place on Parkway at around 2:15am on October 27th after two e-bikes were being ridden in an "anti-social manner".
However, while officers were attending that incident, they soon became concerned at a silver Mercedes car that had been driven suspiciously nearby.
The driver of the car, Dean Lawrence - aged 50 and from Millfield in Chard - saw the officers before driving off, prompting a chase from police, who turned on their blue lights.
During the chase, Lawrence would go through the Sydenham housing estate, heading along Westonzoyland Road and St John’s Road before making his way back to Parkway at great speed.
Lawrence was then hit with a stinger, driving his car heading back to Westonzoyland Road before getting out of the car and running away near Clipper Close.
Speaking on the incident, PC Marcus Cookson, who had chased him and arrested him, said: "The pursuit was at high speeds through residential areas, he had run through a red traffic light and was contravening the Highway Code multiple times throughout.”
Lawrence would later be arrested for dangerous driving, failing to stop, and driving under the influence of drugs having tested positive for a drug driving test.
At a hearing at Taunton Magistrates' Court on May 24th, Lawrence would go on to plead guilty to the charges put against him.
He was sentenced to 12 months in prison which was suspended, as well as a 2-year long supervision order. He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months, and will only be allowed back on the road after passing an extended test.
Cookson went on to say: "Road users who commit one of the fatal five offences are far more likely to be involved in a serious collision. We will actively seek to prosecute dangerous drivers to keep the roads safer for all.
“Driving under the influence of drink or drugs is extremely dangerous and can affect your driving in numerous ways, affecting your ability to judge speed and distance, your reaction and coordination skills.
“Thanks to the quick actions of the policing teams involved, we were able to apprehend Lawrence quickly and his driving disqualification will protect the wider community from potentially devastating consequences.”