Driver jailed after 90-minute chase through Swansea streets

A Swansea driver led police on a dramatic 90-minute pursuit through residential streets which saw him racing at 60mph, ramming police cars, driving on the wrong side of a dual carriageway, and briefly becoming “airborne” when his car crashed through a roundabout.

Adam Hopkins, 28, of Elan Avenue, Clase, refused to leave his cell to attend his sentencing hearing at Swansea Crown Court. Judge Catherine Richards decided to sentence him in his absence, saying that by not going into the dock the defendant had continued to show his “contempt” for the criminal justice system.

The pursuit began at 11pm on 24 October when officers in Cockett started following a Mercedes C-class towards Fforestfach. When police illuminated their blue lights, Hopkins sped away, sparking a chase that would last an hour and a half.

Hopkins raced through residential streets in Penlan, Blaenymaes, and Portmead at speeds hitting 60mph. A police helicopter from the National Police Air Service was called in to track the fleeing vehicle.

The chase moved towards Morriston Hospital where stinger devices punctured the Mercedes’ tyres, but Hopkins continued driving back through town and through Llangyfelach at 60mph, swerving across the road and taking bends on the wrong side.

Police vehicles tried to box in the car in Llangyfelach Road but Hopkins deliberately drove into a cop car before mounting the pavement and escaping.

After returning to Penlan and heading through Manselton, Brynhyfryd and towards Landore, the Mercedes crashed into the roundabout at the bottom of Cwm Level Road and briefly became “airborne” before Hopkins took the A4067 Ffordd Cwm Tawe bypass towards Morriston.

By now all four tyres were deflated and one became detached from the wheel and flew off.

Another attempt to box in the car saw Hopkins drive into an officer’s vehicle again before crossing the central reservation of the dual carriageway and driving at oncoming traffic.

The pursuit ended around 12.30am when Hopkins stopped on the A4067 and ran off. Officers chased and caught him on foot.

Hopkins was arrested and tested positive for cocaine at the roadside. When searched, he was found with snap-bags of cocaine and told officers: “I was going to take that later. It’s not illegal to take coke is it?”

At Swansea Central police station, Hopkins refused to provide a blood sample for testing.

Two officers whose cars Hopkins drove into suffered pain and stiffness in their backs and necks. Both police vehicles had to be taken out of service for repairs.

Hopkins had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, two counts of criminal damage, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

He has eight previous convictions for 22 offences including dangerous driving, driving with no licence, no insurance, and driving while disqualified. In 2022, he was jailed for three years for his part in a cocaine-dealing gang.

Andrew Evans, defending Hopkins, said there was little he could say by way of mitigation.

Judge Catherine Richards said Hopkins had shown no regard for the safety of other road users and had deliberately put police officers at serious risk. She noted he had continued to show his “contempt” for the criminal justice system by absenting himself from the sentencing hearing.

With a one-third discount for his guilty pleas, Hopkins was sentenced to 16 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

Hopkins was banned from driving for four years and eight months and must complete an extended test before he can get a licence in future.