A runaway driver who led police on a dangerous pursuit has been jailed after he was found hiding in a pond.
An officer from the force’s Roads Policing Unit was out in a marked vehicle when a Toyota Yaris failed to stop in Leeming Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, shortly before 8.30 pm on Monday (27 February).
Signalling for the car to pull over the driver Orges Hoxha appeared to be stopping before flooring the accelerator and driving off erratically.
Hoxha then reached speeds in excess of 80mph in 30mph and 50mph zones – driving on the opposite side of the road and overtaking other cars as he tried to get away.
The 24-year-old later drove onto The Carrs field, Warsop – narrowly avoiding trees before jumping out of his car and running off.
Unable to escape the attention of a police dog and the roads officer, he was found hiding in a pond, using the pond reeds for cover before being pulled from the water.
He later admitted to charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving without insurance, and driving without a license.
Appearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (1 March), he was jailed for 10 months.
Hoxha, of Church Street, Warsop, was also disqualified from driving for two years.
PC Jon Pinnick, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “We know all too well the tragic consequences of this kind of dangerous and reckless driving.
“Hoxha showed absolutely no thought for the road laws or the danger he was putting other people in by driving nearly three times the speed limit.
“Rather than face up to what he had done he then chose to run away and hide.
“As hiding places go this was certainly a brave choice, but it made little difference to our dog, who soon sniffed him out from beneath the reeds.
“I’m incredibly thankful no one was injured during this incident as the consequences do not bear thinking about.
“I want to send out a strong message to any other driver who thinks they can escape being arrested when they show a complete disregard for road laws. As we’ve shown here we can call on other teams within the force including the dog unit – so you won’t stay hidden for long.”
