Heroin addict almost hit pedestrian and learner driver during Black Country police chase

Harprit Shekhon, 43, was pursued after police clocked him taking part in a suspected drug deal on Wallace Road, Oldbury, on January 17.

Shekhon, of Pound Close, Oldbury, led officers on a six-mile chase where he sped through numerous red lights and hit speeds of 65mph, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

But Shekhon, who had no license or insurance, was arrested after he abandoned the silver Ford Mondeo he was driving on St Matthews Road, Oldbury, and was Tasered after a short foot chase.

Shekhon pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving with no licence and insurance, and failing to carry out a drugs test at an earlier hearing. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison and disqualified from driving for two years and seven months at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Prosecuting, Nicholas Burn, said: "On January 17, the attention of police officers on patrol was drawn to a silver Ford Mondeo motor vehicle. The vehicle was followed, a suspected drug deal (took place) and an extensive pursuit took place of six miles."

The court heard the Mondeo belonged to another occupant of the vehicle who pressured Shekhon into driving off.

During the chase Shekhon carried out a sequence of dangerous manoeuvres in a bid to evade officers which ultimately failed, Mr Burn explained.

He said: "Initially, the defendant speeds off. He overtakes a vehicle at approximately 60mph and goes through a red light at 45mph.

"He fails to give way (at a junction) and causes another vehicle to break heavily. He continues to travel at 60mph and goes through another red light at 45mph.

"He overtakes another vehicle and causes it take evading action. He then causes another vehicle to break heavily. The defendant then breaks heavily at a junction to evade a pedestrian who is crossing the road. He continues to speed up to 45mph, up to 50mph and up to 55mph. He then avoids a learner driver where the vehicle takes evading action.

"The defendant speeds up to 65mph, and then drives onto a pavement. He then overtakes a vehicle causing it to take evading action. The defendant then makes into a cul-de-sac."

After stopping the vehicle, Shekhon got out and rolled across the bonnet of one of the pursuing police cars. Another police car pulled up in a bid to trap the defendant but he was able to get away. However Shekhon was chased down on foot and Tasered before he was taken to a police station.

Defending, Lynette McClement, said: "The vehicle he was driving was someone else's car. The defendant said it was a passenger in the vehicle who told him to drive.

"He accepts his driving was unacceptable, dangerous and he is truly remorseful of that. He was urged on by others."

The court heard Shekhon is a heroin addict. The addiction - which came about through problems in his personal life - led to him committing these offences, Ms McClement told the court.

Recorder Michelle Heeley said: "Other vehicles had to swerve out of your way (during the chase). There was no excuse for this behaviour."