Cannabis driver’s chase ends in police vehicle crash

A learner driver who led police on a dangerous high-speed chase while high on cannabis has narrowly avoided jail after crashing his van into a police vehicle.

Twenty-year-old Dayton Withers was behind the wheel of a Ford Transit in Tir-y-berth, Caerphilly, when officers spotted him on 30th April last year. Rather than stopping, the Blackwood man attempted to flee, sparking a terrifying pursuit through residential streets.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how Withers tore through red lights, drove on the wrong side of the road and came within inches of hitting other vehicles during the chase. The pursuit only ended when police deployed a stinger device and Withers ploughed his van into a police vehicle.

Tests later revealed the 20-year-old had a cannabis derivative in his system. He admitted dangerous driving, drug driving, driving without a proper licence and having no insurance.

Defence barrister Sol Hartley told the court: “The defendant is in pieces in the dock today your honour. This was an atrocious piece of driving and it’s fortunate that no further damage was caused. It was offending that was completely out of character – he has never been before a court before.”

Mr Hartley added: “He’s genuinely remorseful and sorry for what he did. These were the actions of an extremely immature young man. There is a good prospect of rehabilitation in the community in this case.”

Judge Paul Thomas KC told Withers, of Mill Road, Springfield, Pontllanfraith: “Your driving last April was quite simply atrocious. It presented a great risk of causing serious harm or death to a number of people before you crashed into a police after a stinger device was deployed on the road.”

The judge said only Withers’ young age and lack of previous convictions saved him from immediate custody.

Withers received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and a 10-day rehabilitation programme. He’s also banned from driving for two years and will need to pass an extended test before getting back behind the wheel.