Driver Jailed After Leading Police On Dangerous High-Speed Pursuit Through Harborough Villages
Written by HFM News on 12th May 2023
A disqualified driver who led Police on a dangerous high-speed pursuit through Harborough villages has been jailed for 22 months.
James Ward failed to stop for officers in Wistow, after they noticed the Ford Transit van he was driving was displaying false number plates.
He then drove into oncoming traffic on a number of occasions during the 25-minute pursuit on the evening of April 12th, which eventually ended in Leicester.
The 33-year-old of Ocean Road in the city fled on foot, but was arrested a short time later, with the assistance of a helicopter crew from the National Police Air Service, who led officers on the ground to where he was hiding.
Ward admitted several offences including dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to provide a specimen, failing to stop and possessing cannabis.
He was also also banned from driving for six years when he was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Leicestershire Police have released footage of the pursuit and Ward’s arrest:
PC Sophie Hancock, who was the investigating officer, has spoken the joint efforts of all those involved in apprehending the suspects.
She said: “The joint effort of all those involved in the arrest of Ward are an excellent example of operational policing and team work at its best.
“While our road policing officers, who drive at the highest level of skill and precision, pursued the vehicle, our colleagues at NPAS used their knowledge and expertise to tracking the vehicle and with the assistance of local neighbourhood officers on the ground arrests were made.
“The assistance of NPAS was also crucial in identifying which man was driving the vehicle as they were able to observe which side of the vehicle Ward left and track him up until his arrest placing him as the driver.
“I must also mention my colleagues, PC Eliot Bates and PC Danielle Preston, whose assistance has been instrumental in getting this case to court.”
PC Hancock added: “Ward chose to drive in a dangerous and irresponsible manner, often at speeds close to 100mph, along main routes across the county and city which were full with motorists at the time. It’s extremely fortunate that he did not collide with any vehicles or anyone crossing the road.
“He has now been left with a string of driving convictions as well a period of time in prison for the sake of less than thirty minutes of reckless behaviour.”
