Teenager jailed after high speed police chase

11:52am Friday 16th May 2008

A TETBURY teenager has been jailed after a judge said he was fortunate not to have killed a young woman driver during a three-mile high speed police chase.

Judge Mark Horton described Dean Shackell's driving on January 19 as horrendous' as he sentenced the 19-year-old to six months behind bars.

"You drove this car in a quite horrendous way."

Gloucester Crown Court Judge Mark Horton

Shackell was spotted by a police constable driving out of Tetbury at around 6pm and then travelling round a roundabout back into the town, said Paul Grumbar, prosecuting.

The officer did a check on Shackell's Peugeot and discovered it was not insured so gave chase - with blue lights flashing.

Shackell, who had a passenger, accelerated away and drove into Tetbury's residential streets at speed and over humps - getting up to 70-80mph in a 40mph zone, the court heard.

He then turned into a country lane and momentarily lost the police before colliding with another car at the junction with the B4614.

His passenger was left in the car and the other driver - Samantha Thomas - was injured.

She received bruising, a twisted ankle and a neck injury, said Mr Grumbar.

In a victim impact statement she said she had lost confidence and had been in pain for a considerable time after the crash.

Shackell's passenger, Tony Farthing who suffered cuts and bruising, had asked the defendant to stop several times during the chase but Shackell replied that he had no car tax and he didn't want the vehicle to be impounded.

Shackell, of Hampton Road, Tetbury, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on March 28.

Judge Mark Horton said the offence was aggravated as it was prolonged dangerous driving over three miles, that his passenger had asked him to stop and because of the injuries.

Judge Horton said to Shackell: "You drove this car in a quite horrendous way."

He added that Shackell had been fortunate not to kill the woman driver.

"You've caused her permanent fear of going out in a motor car," he added.

The judge also disqualified the 19-year-old from driving for two years - and said he must take a re-test before he can regain his licence.

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