Reckless driver jailed after taking van and leading police on high-speed chase

POLICE pursued a reckless driver as he hurtled along roads at high speeds, undertaking a learner driver and forcing others to swerve out of the way.

He sped over a police stinger device but was finally arrested when a police dog was set on him after he ran off, a court heard.

Lloyd McDonald, 25, of Newstead Road, Cleethorpes, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving while banned, dangerous driving and theft.

James Byatt, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that McDonald drove off in an 81-year-old man's van while the pensioner was doing allotments work in Cleethorpes on November 28. He had left the keys in the ignition.

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Police in Peaks Lane, New Waltham, spotted McDonald and followed him with blue lights flashing and sirens sounding.

He drove at 70mph in 30mph limits in Humberston Avenue and went round bollards and traffic islands the wrong way. An oncoming car had to pull in to avoid a crash.

McDonald undertook a learner driver who was in a clearly-marked driving school car, mounted a pavement and drove over a stinger device in Grimsby Road, Humberston, puncturing three tyres but carrying on.

The car eventually pulled in at Belvoir Way, Cleethorpes, where it was hemmed in by other police vehicles. McDonald ran off but was caught by a police dog.

A mobile phone, £35 cash and change he had stolen from the pensioner, including allotment society money, was found.

Richard Hackfath, mitigating, said McDonald made admissions. He suffered from mental health problems and had not been taking his medication at the time.

McDonald was jailed for 20 months and banned from driving for two years.