Wanted man hid in bush after wrong-way A470 chase

A wanted man who led police on a dangerous chase through icy roads – even driving the wrong way up the A470 – has been jailed after he was found hiding in a bush.

Carwyn Phillips, 36, from Merthyr Tydfil, was spotted by PC Ashley Saunders at Cyfarthfa Retail Park Roundabout on Thursday, January 8, 2025. The officer recognised the vehicle because Phillips was already wanted in connection with an unrelated offence.

PC Saunders signalled for Phillips to pull over, but he refused and sped off.

At the time, an amber weather warning was in place and roads across the area were covered in ice and snow, making conditions treacherous.

During the pursuit, Phillips briefly came to a stop to allow two passengers to get out of the back seat before continuing to flee. He then drove the wrong way up the A470 in a desperate bid to shake off officers.

PC Saunders carried out a tactical contact manoeuvre to bring the vehicle to a halt. Phillips’ car collided with the side of the police vehicle and came to a stop – but he still tried to escape, jumping down a banking at the side of the road.

After a short search of the area, officers found Phillips crouched in a bush and arrested him on suspicion of GBH, failing to stop, disqualified driving and dangerous driving.

Phillips pleaded guilty to all charges and appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, February 9, where he was sentenced to 14 months in prison and banned from driving for 10 years and seven months.

PC Ashley Saunders said: “Carwyn’s dangerous driving caused threat to the public, the police and himself, especially with the conditions being as bad as they were.”

“It was only a matter of time before his choices caught up with him and he was arrested.”