A drug driver spent much of Christmas Day in custody after leading officers on a high-speed pursuit around Selston.
David Kent, aged 43, came to the attention of the Road Crime Team at around 7.40 pm on Christmas Eve last year when his VW Caddy van was flagged as a vehicle of interest.
Officers attempted to stop him on Alfreton Road, but were immediately led on a high-speed pursuit after Kent feigned stopping before driving away again.
Over the next eight minutes, Kent drove at more than twice the speed limit, entered a 30 mph zone at around 90 mph, and recklessly overtook a number of other vehicles.
As he attempted to negotiate a right-hand turn at the junction of Stoney Lane and Mansfield Road, Kent lost control of the van and crashed into a garden fence.
He was dragged from the vehicle by officers and arrested.
A later test in custody revealed both cocaine and cannabis in his system. He was also found to have no insurance and no driving licence.
During a subsequent interview, Kent explained he was on his way home from a darts competition and admitted his driving had been dangerous. He said he was determined to get home for Christmas.
He later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, and three counts of drug driving.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday 23 April, Kent, of Albert Avenue, Jacksdale, was jailed for 14 months.
PC Chelsea Seals, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“This was an outrageous display of driving that could very easily have ended in a Christmas tragedy.
“Kent put multiple lives in danger as he drove at more than twice the speed limit and carried out a series of highly dangerous overtakes.
“It really is no exaggeration to say he could have killed somebody that night – all because he wanted to get home for Christmas.
“As it was, he spent most of the day itself in custody and will now have to live with the consequences of his actions.”
