JAILED: Prolific offender crashed into police van and narrowly missed pedestrians in bid to flee officers
A prolific offender who crashed into a police van while escaping pursuing officers has been locked up for a year.
David Flavell narrowly missed pedestrians – including children – while driving across an area of grass to get away in a stolen BMW convertible on Good Friday April 3, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
Police saw the 32-year-old, who had 33 previous convictions involving 137 separate offences, in Bridgnorth Road, Stourbridge.
He was seen getting into the car that had been taken during a burglary in Worcester on March 31 and so officers told him to get out of the vehicle.
Flavell ignored their request to get out and drove over the pavement, colliding with a police van, said Mr Philip Beardwell, prosecuting.
He sped down Meriden Avenue before cutting across an area of grass where pedestrians were walking to get back onto the Bridgnorth Road. In the process he was able to leave behind pursuing police who were stuck in traffic.
Flavell had also stolen a total of £350 worth of food during five thefts in as many days from supermarkets in Wollaston and Stourbridge.
The spate of thefts had got under way on March 22.
Seven days before that he had dropped a £46 haul of meat and fled from a shop in the same area.
He was caught on CCTV at the crimes and identified from the footage by police who had arrested him in the past. He was later traced and detained.
Miss Amanda Jenkins, defending, said the dangerous driving only lasted a couple of minutes. She added that the defendant had been battling with drug addiction.
Flavell from Coppice Avenue, Stourbridge admitted six offences of theft, dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and driving when banned.
He was jailed by Judge Nicholas Webb who told him: "You showed a total disregard for the safety of other road users."
