Learner driver jailed after 100mph Gwent police chase

A learner driver who led police on a high-speed chase through Gwent before crashing into a lorry and car has been jailed for eight months.

Dwayne Zungunde, 23, of no fixed abode but from Ystrad Mynach in Caerphilly, reached speeds of around 100mph during the pursuit on Wednesday, January 28. The dangerous driver was behind the wheel of a black Volkswagen Golf despite being uninsured and only holding a provisional licence.

Officers from Gwent Police’s Roads Policing and Specialist Operations unit first spotted Zungunde in Pontypool at approximately 12.30pm. When they signalled for him to stop, he refused and a chase ensued.

A Gwent Police spokesperson explained what happened next: “The black Volkswagen Golf came to a halt when it collided with a lorry and a car while attempting to overtake queuing traffic on the near-side of the A4042 in Cwmbran after reaching speeds of around 100mph.”

Following the collision, Zungunde also failed to provide a specimen for analysis when requested by officers.

He appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court where prosecutor Angharad Jones outlined the charges. Zungunde pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst uninsured, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and failing to provide a specimen.

PC Nathan Ford, the officer in the case, said: “The footage we gathered was clear and overwhelming and proved the defendant had been driving in a dangerous manner; he is very fortunate that no-one was injured.

“He had little option but to plead guilty to the charges he faced in court and I hope that Zungunde now has time to reflect on his actions from last week.

“He did not drive to the required competent standard and his poor decision-making on our roads could have led to devastating consequences.

“This is a reminder to everyone who gets behind the wheel – you must be property insured, hold a valid driving licence, and are responsible for the safety of everyone around you.”

Alongside his eight-month prison sentence, Zungunde was disqualified from driving for 28 months and ordered to pay a £187 surcharge and £85 costs. He will remain banned from driving until he has passed an extended test.

Fortunately, no-one was injured in the collision.