Driver dived from moving car after fleeing police on wrong side of road

The car came to a stop on a grass verge – before Craig Stanway, who had a small amount of cannabis in the vehicle, was found by police more than 40 minutes later.

Stanway, of High Street, in Sedgley, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving without insurance at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

The 30-year-old had claimed he was struggling with kidney failure and was trying to get away from his ex-partner's boyfriend.

Prosecution barrister Mr Robert Price said police spotted Stanway driving the Ford Focus in Dudley erratically on May 8 at around 12.51am.

He said: "They approached the vehicle and the blue lights were activated.

"He was driving down Himley Road, which is a 30mph road, at around 60-70mph on the wrong side of the carriageway. It was described by police as a quiet road.

"As police closed in he tried once to jump out of the vehicle while it was still moving, before trying again and succeeding.

"He made no attempt to put the handbrake on and the car continued rolling forward, mounting the pavement and coming to a halt in a grass verge.

"A number of police were deployed to try and find him, and a helicopter was sent out. He was eventually found at 1.35pm."

He added that a small amount of cannabis was found in the car.

When judge James Bearbridge gave Stanway the opportunity to speak, he broke down in tears. He said: "I'm disgusted with myself, I can't apologise enough. I just made a mistake."

Sarah Allen, defending, said: "Given how he's come across here today in court, it's clear that he has issues controlling his emotions. He accepts his driving was dangerous and he is remorseful.

"At the time of the incident he was anxious, and thought he was being chased by his ex-partner's boyfriend."

Judge Bearbridge told Stanway: "I don't believe you fled because you were anxious about your ex-partner's boyfriend, I believe it was because you had cannabis in the car, albeit a small amount for personal use.

"Police had to use considerable resources causing a significant public expense. Mercifully, you didn't cause any injury to anybody.

"You have a number of issues clearly, and one of those is committing crime."

He was sentenced to seven months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, was disqualified from driving, and was given a 12-month community order and a rehabilitation requirement of 20 days. He was also put on a curfew between 9pm and 6am.