ONLY an HGV driver’s speedy reactions avoided him colliding with a speeding car whose driver was trying to get away from the police.
The pursuing officers then had to deliberately drive into the car to prevent Jordan Robinson going dangerously the wrong way round a roundabout.
And a judge at Warwick Crown Court told Robinson he was only escaping an immediate prison sentence because he had already spent five weeks in custody on remand.
The 21 year-old of James Walk, Rugby, was sentenced to six months in jail suspended for two years after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and driving with no licence or insurance.
He was also disqualified for three years and ordered to comply with supervision for 18 months and to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
Prosecutor Rupert Douglas-Jones said that at 4.45 in the afternoon on January 21 police officers saw a Renault Clio in Lawford Road in Rugby, and a check revealed it was uninsured.
As they began to follow it Robinson, who had two passengers in the Clio, accelerated away along Parkfield Road, almost losing control as he then turned into Lea Crescent.
He drove at 50 along the 30mph road, and then increased his speed to 60 after turning back into Parkfield Road, and when he reached a give way sign he went through the junction at 40 before accelerating to 70 in a 40 zone.
Mr Douglas-Jones said during the pursuit Robinson overtook two other vehicles on a bend and only escaped colliding with an HGV on a roundabout when the lorry driver took avoiding action.
At another roundabout he tried to go the wrong way round it, forcing the officers to deliberately drive into the Clio to prevent him doing so because it would have been so dangerous.
And in Boughton Road he overtook a cyclist at 70mph before reaching a T-junction where he collided with a Mondeo turning into the road.
The Clio left the road where it came to a halt and Robinson got out and ran off, but was chased and caught nearby.
Robinson, who had no previous convictions, immediately accepted he had been ‘silly’ and apologised to the driver of the Mondeo, added Mr Douglas-Jones.
Ben Gow, defending, said pointed out as a result of failing to turn up for a pre-sentence report appointment, Robinson had been remanded in custody for the past five weeks.
He said Robinson had a good work record and has been offered a full-time job, adding it was unlikely he would “trouble the courts” again.
