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Driver who crashed after three-mile chase is jailed

An out-of-control driver who hurtled down the wrong side of the road and crashed into another car during a three-mile police chase has been locked up for 10 months.

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An innocent motorist suffered a neck injury after Liam Smith crashed into his car at the end of the pursuit though Wolverhampton, the city's crown court heard.

Judge Michael Challinor said it was a miracle no-one was killed or seriously injured.

Smith, aged 20, of Mount Road, Wolverhampton, was also banned from driving for two years and told he would need to take an extended driving test before being allowed to drive.

He had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and driving without insurance.

Mr David Lees, prosecuting, said at around 4pm on May 28 this year, police saw Smith, who had only a provisional licence, driving a Vauxhall Astra belonging to his girlfriend, who was sat in the passenger seat.

He drove through a red traffic light at the junction of Worcester Street and Salop Street in the city centre, causing officers to turn on their blue lights and siren for him to stop.

Mr Lees said he failed to stop, leading officers on a three-mile pursuit around the city centre.

"He went into Peel Street, then on the ring road St Mark's until the Penn Road island," he said.

"The defendant drove the wrong way around the traffic island before travelling back towards the direction he came from.

"He drove through the temporary red traffic lights, at speeds in excess of the speed limit."

Mr Lees said police decided that it was too dangerous to continue with the pursuit, but a short while later Smith collided with a Mondeo being driven by Kevin Hines at the junction of Jeffcock Road and Bradmore Road.

"Kevin Hines had his 79-year-old father in the passenger seat," said Mr Lees.

"Mr Hines suffered a muscular injury to this right side and neck, and this affected his ability to do his job for three weeks or so."

Smith's girlfriend also suffered minor injuries, he added.

Mr Sanjeev Sharma, for Smith, said his client admitted his driving had been 'dreadful'.

"He realises and accepts the danger he had put others in, not least his partner," said Mr Sharma.

"His family have suffered a serious tragedy as a result of his brother being killed in a collision involving a car."

Passing sentence, Judge Michael Challinor said: "This was deliberate dangerous driving through the busy streets of this city, when pedestrians and other road users were about.

"It's a miracle no-one was seriously injured or killed. I wouldn't be doing my duty if I didn't sentence you to a period of custody."

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