Police release picture of dangerous driver who sparked police chase through streets of South Yorkshire
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on June 16 how Simon Welsh, aged 33, of Monkwood Road, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, was spotted in an uninsured Renault Clio by police on Parkgate Roundabout, Rotherham, before he was followed to Mushroom Roundabout and accelerated through traffic lights with a passenger in the early hours of May 25.
Carley Green, prosecuting, said police tried to stop Welsh but he collided with their vehicle which was disabled and a second police car joined the pursuit as Welsh drove onto Herringthorpe Valley Road and reached speeds of up to 75mph.
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Hide AdMs Green added Welsh forced a collision with the second police vehicle as he braked before driving to Fitzwilliam Road and went through a red traffic light at Clifton Lane before heading into the town and returning to Canklow Road where he mounted a footpath.
The defendant was caught after a third police vehicle overtook Welsh and brought the pursuit to an end, according to Ms Green, and he was found to be over the drink-drive limit.
Recorder Adrian Langdale QC said Welsh disabled two police vehicles, repeatedly drove on the wrong side of the road, drove at various speeds, weaved over the carriageway and drove through red lights before a third vehicle was deployed.
He said: “This was an appalling piece of driving over a sustained period causing substantial damage to three police cars. Your driving was out of control and you could have put any other road-user in you came across in peril.”
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Hide AdWelsh, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and a licence, to exceeding the drink-drive limit and to causing criminal damage.
Joy Merriam, defending, said jobless Welsh immediately admitted the offences and he has expressed remorse and wishes to turn his life around after a history of drug abuse.
Recorder Langdale told Welsh: “It can be categorised as a pro-longed period of driving with disregard for the safety of others with excessive speeds.”
Welsh was sentenced to 16-months of custody and was given a three-year disqualification from driving which will be effective upon his release.