Dangerous driver tasered by chasing police officers after running away

A dangerous driver who crashed into a homeowner's car on their driveway was tasered by chasing police officers after running away.

Jack Burden, 25, led police on a dangerous chase throughout Dudley and Brierley Hill before crashing and trying to run away. 

Burden had been carrying a Rambo knife in his car and eventually pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and possession of an offensive weapon at Wolverhampton Crown Court. 

The court was shown footage of the chase on Sunday, September 14, 2024, when Burden drove on the wrong side of the road, speeded through residential streets and lost control turning a corner. The footage also showed Burden trying to escape police officers and being tasered. 

In mitigation, the court heard Burden, of Robert Wynd Close, Wolverhampton, had been dealing with the illness of his grandmother who had brought him up and had no previous convictions.

Recorder Simon Hughes sentenced Burden to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to attend 30 days of rehabilitation and undertake 150 hours of unpaid work in the community.

Hughes said: "This was an appalling piece of driving. You drove on the wrong side of the road, overtook vehicles whilst speeding, all whilst being pursued by police officers. Inevitably you lost control of that vehicle and left the road and collided into someone's car on their driveway. You decided that day to break the rules of the road, you broke the speed limit and undertaken dangerous manoeuvres which involved crashing into a car. 

"This person had the right to expect their car to be safe on their drive when they parked it there. Your car was searched and a knife was found, I have seen this knife and it was manufactured with the purpose to cause harm." 

He added: "This case does pass the custody threshold but in light of your previous good character and mitigation concerning your grandmother I will be suspending this sentence."