Disqualified 'maniac' driver hit oncoming car with a toddler inside during police chase
A disqualified driver who sped away from police like a "maniac" was eventually stopped after smashing into an oncoming car carrying a toddler.
Craig Docker, aged 35, had only purchased the Ford Focus hours before leading police officers on the chase.
The toddler was uninjured in the smash but the driver suffered whiplash and his Ford Fiesta was written off.
Docker, of Roseville Court, Coseley, was sentenced on Thursday to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years, having previously admitted to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.
The Ford Focus had been reported to police as taken on the morning of April 2. It was spotted by a police car around midday and officers activated their blue lights.
A chase ensued in which the Ford Focus was seen driving on the wrong side of the road and travelling along residential streets at 50mph, said Kevin Jones, prosecuting.
At one stage in the pursuit the vehicle crossed all four lanes of the Birmingham New Road forcing other drivers to stop.
The chase came to a dramatic and sudden end when the Ford Focus smashed into a Ford Fiesta in Springfield Lane, Rowley Regis.
Mr Jones, said: "The complainant said he was travelling over a humpback bridge and that it would only take one vehicle at a time so he always papped his horn as he went over to make sure people knew of his presence.
"He saw the vehicle being driven by this defendant and swerved but cannot avoid contact."
The Ford Fiesta was written-off in the crash and up to £1,700 worth of damage was done to the Ford Focus.
It later emerged Docker had bought the car in Castle Street, Coseley, earlier the same day.
Miss Blondelle Thompson, defending, said her client had been on medication for a long-time having suffered with anxiety, depression and paranoia.
Recorder Christopher Goodchild, said: "The blue lights flashed and you went off. You drove like a maniac frankly.
"At a blind humpback bridge, on open road, a father and his two-year-old child were in a car coming over slowly and properly.
"You were coming up the other way. You were driving sufficiently fast to have lost, in part, the police officer chasing you.
"Fortunately the child was not injured. However the driver was and you weren't insured. That is the effect of your dangerous driving."
In addition to his suspended sentenced, Docker was made subject to a rehabilitation order and was disqualified from driving for three years.
