Banned driver who fled police sent to prison
An ‘intelligent’ university graduate, who did not have the sense to stop the car he was driving when ordered to by the police, was starting an eight-month jail sentence today.
Banned motorist Vijay Mattu drove into trouble after being spotted at the wheel of a Kia in Smethwick High Street on July 24.
The 25 year old made off when the police patrol car activated its siren and blue lights, a judge heard.
He ignored a no-entry sign and hurtled down a one-way street in the wrong direction at 50 mph, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
Mattu careered through a red light before turning off the lights of the car while escaping from a cul-de-sac he had accidentally turned into, explained Mr Mark Stephens, prosecuting.
The Kia, which was on false plates, twice struck the kerb at speed, deflating a tyre before he lost control, swept across a T junction and smashed into a fence, causing £500 damage. He told the police officers who arrested him that the Kia belonged to his girlfriend.
Mr Timothy Harrington, defending, said: “He was driving when he should not have done and panicked when he saw the police. He now realises how stupid and dangerous his behaviour was. He is an educated man with a university degree who wishes to return to the offence-free life he led until last year.”
During a period of depression Mattu had collected three previous convictions which included a driving ban – imposed after failing to give a specimen when stopped by police – and being caught driving while disqualified before his latest arrest, the court heard.
The defendant, from Station Road, Handsworth, admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance and was sent to prison by Judge Abbas Mithani QC who also banned him from driving for three years on release from jail.
The judge said: “Your driving was appalling and exposed members of the public to serious injury or even death.
“Fortunately, that was not the result on this occasion but your sentence must have a deterrent element to discourage others from behaving as you did. As a graduate you should have the intelligence to realise the danger this sort of driving creates.”
