Banned driver jailed after stolen car chase in Cwmbran

A disqualified driver smashed a stolen Citroen C3 into a wall during a dangerous police chase – after overtaking a grit lorry on the wrong side of the road with his lights off.

Steven Howells, 31, was jailed for 26 months at Cardiff Crown Court for the reckless pursuit through south Wales, which left his passenger needing hospital treatment.

How the car was stolen

The Citroen’s owner had stepped outside to take her recycling out at 8.40pm on January 13 when she realised her vehicle had vanished. She immediately contacted police.

The court heard that Howells’ accomplice Sam Bray had initially stolen the car before Howells took over the driving.

The chase

By 9.30pm, a police helicopter had located the Citroen being driven at high speed through Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent – with its headlights switched off and travelling on the wrong side of the road.

Prosecutor Mari Watkins said: “At 9.30pm a police helicopter saw the car being driven at high speed with the lights off, on the wrong side of the road.”

Officers then spotted Bray hanging out of the passenger window as the vehicle sped along. The pursuit continued onto Mountain Road in Upper Cwmbran, where Howells recklessly overtook a grit lorry before ploughing into a wall on a bend.

Both men scrambled out through the passenger side and ran, but were arrested at 10.16pm. Bray was taken to hospital with a deep gash to his elbow.

The victim’s words

In a personal statement, the car’s owner said the vehicle was badly damaged and the ordeal had left her “in shock.”

She added: “I don’t feel able to go into work due to the impact on my mental health.”

Howells’ history

Howells admitted aggravated vehicle-taking with dangerous driving causing injury, driving while disqualified and without insurance, failing to stop after an accident, and failing to provide a sample for analysis.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching a suspended sentence handed down the previous year for burglary. That 12-month jail term had been suspended for 18 months on the condition he completed 100 hours of unpaid work and 40 rehabilitation activity days.

Ms Watkins told the court: “He attended zero of those requirements. Two of his absences were deemed acceptable and five unacceptable.”

His criminal record contained 15 previous offences including dangerous driving – the very reason he was banned from the road at the time of the chase – as well as grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a blade in public, and affray.

Defence arguments

His barrister Sophie Keegan told the court Howells had battled a long-standing crack cocaine addiction and had “felt quite lost” following his most recent release from prison.

“He is entirely illiterate and was unable to reach out for support,” she said. “He was struggling under the suspended sentence order, which was compounded by complex family dynamics including not having a place to stay due to a strained relationship with his mother. He quickly slipped back into drug misuse.

“He met Mr Bray that night outside a shop and ended up entangled in Mr Bray’s misdemeanours. He was never charged with the burglary element for taking the car. It was Mr Bray driving to start with, although by the end Mr Howells was behind the wheel.”

Sentencing

Judge Vanessa Francis handed Howells a 26-month prison sentence, telling him: “It is a matter of immense regret not just for you but for society that, because you were not able to take advantage of the help offered last time, you caused more harm. It could have been catastrophic harm, and I’m sure you are very relieved it wasn’t.

“You know the misery you have caused to completely innocent people by being involved with the taking and destruction of their property. You are 31. Something has to change but you have to be the catalyst.”

Howells gave a faint nod and muttered “I know” before being led down to the cells. A 12-month driving ban will begin upon his release from prison.