No jail for driver who smashed into biker while fleeing police
A driver who ploughed into a motorcyclist while trying to flee from police has been spared jail.
Daniel Kennedy, who was at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta, had ignored a request by an officer in an unmarked car to stop amid suspicion the 22-year-old had been using his mobile phone at the wheel, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The 22-year-old was halted at red lights but ‘shot off’ through them onto Smethwick High Street, narrowly missing a bus, when the police officer pulled up alongside him, said Mr Philip Brunt, prosecuting.
The police officer slowed as the pursuit became ‘too dangerous’ with Kennedy hurtling through narrow residential streets at over 50mph in a 30 limit.
Shortly afterwards Kennedy, who had neither insurance nor a full driving licence, emerged at speed from a roundabout on the wrong side of Church Road tossing the rider onto his bonnet and into the carriageway as he hit the motorcycle head on, the court heard.
The man, who amazingly escaped with just very bad bruising, was left lying beside his wrecked bike as the Fiesta continued on the wrong side of the road into Rosefield Road, said Mr Brunt.
Mr Anthony Bell, defending, said: “He panicked when the police officer pulled up alongside him because he knew he should not have been driving.
"He saw a space in which to manoeuvre in front of the police car and took it. The pursuit lasted for about a minute and travelled less than a mile.”
Kennedy, of Clifton Street, Cradley Heath, who was of previous good character, admitted dangerous driving and other motoring offences including failing to stop after an accident.
"He was given a 12-month jail sentence suspended for two years, banned from driving for two years with 150 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to the motorcyclist.
Recorder Julian Taylor told him: “This could very easily have been a case of causing death by dangerous driving. I believe that longer term restrictions on your lifestyle will have a greater impact than a relatively short prison sentence.”
