JAILED: Drug addict almost hit pedestrian and learner in car 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 licence 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.

He was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court to 15 months in jail and disqualified from driving for two years and seven months.

Defending, Lynette McClement, said: “Officers saw what they thought was an exchange of drugs take place which led them to putting their lights on and pursuing the vehicle.”

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

Prosecuting, Nicholas Burn, 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 and causes another vehicle to break heavily. He continues to travel at 60mph and goes through another red light at 45mph.

“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 took 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, Miss 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.”

The court heard Shekhon is a heroin addict.

Recorder Michelle Heeley said: “There was no excuse for this behaviour.”