Curtis Harrison, 27, of Fullers Way, Odd Down, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after a reckless high-speed police chase in Chippenham last September. Driving a Ford Focus with no insurance and faulty number plates, Harrison reached speeds of up to 90mph in a 30mph zone while evading officers.
On the evening of September 13, Wiltshire Police attempted to stop Harrison’s vehicle on Hungerdown Lane after spotting the faulty number plates. Instead of complying, he fled, driving erratically through residential areas, mounting pavements, driving over grass playing fields, and crashing into another vehicle on Manor Road. The dangerous pursuit ended when Harrison abandoned the car and fled on foot.
Inside the vehicle, police discovered a 10-year-old child in the back seat and a woman in the front. Harrison was later apprehended, interviewed, and charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving without a valid license, and driving uninsured.
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At Swindon Crown Court, Harrison pleaded guilty to all charges and received a 14-month jail sentence along with a driving disqualification lasting two years and seven months.
Police Constable Paul Davis condemned Harrison’s reckless behavior, emphasizing the risk posed to the public and the child in the vehicle. “Harrison showed a total disregard for the safety of others, driving well above the speed limit, mounting pavements, and endangering children playing in the area. It is only by sheer luck that no serious injuries occurred,” said PC Davis. “Evading police at such speeds puts everyone at risk and is completely unacceptable.”