Port Talbot man jailed after 70mph chase in stolen car

A Port Talbot man who led police on a dangerous high-speed pursuit through residential streets whilst banned from the road has been jailed for 18 months.

Ryan Simon stole a vehicle from an address in Port Talbot on 21st November last year, fitting it with stolen registration plates in an attempt to avoid detection. The 33-year-old also made off with a dash-cam, driving licence and cash from inside the car.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how officers spotted Simon behind the wheel the following day, but he accelerated away as they approached – nearly dragging a police officer along with the vehicle as he fled.

What followed was a reckless pursuit that saw Simon tearing through 20mph zones at speeds reaching 70mph. He completely ignored traffic calming measures, drove straight through a red light, and had several near-misses with other vehicles before eventually smashing into an unmarked police car.

The danger didn’t end there. Simon then mounted the kerb, showing complete “disregard” for the safety of pedestrians in the area.

Passing sentence, Judge Paul Hobson told Simon: “You could have killed somebody, it’s sheer luck you didn’t do so. The fact you caused only major damage to the vehicle was sheer good fortune.”

The court was told Simon, of Kern Close, Sandfields, has an extensive criminal record including previous convictions for aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified, taking vehicles without consent, theft, robbery and burglary. At the time of this incident, he was already banned from driving.

Simon pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, theft from motor vehicle, theft, and driving whilst disqualified.

His barrister, John Allchurch, said his client had been struggling with cocaine addiction but was determined to address the problem. Since being remanded in custody, Simon has attended drug and alcohol awareness programmes and secured work in the prison kitchen.

In addition to his 18-month prison term, Simon was disqualified from driving for four years and nine months.