The driver of a stolen campervan has been jailed after leading officers on an unusual high-speed pursuit.
Daniel Bald put multiple lives at risk as he carried out a series of aggressive manoeuvres and drove on the wrong side of the road, all while the vehicle’s pop-up roof bed was fully extended.
The vehicle had been partially obstructing traffic when it was spotted parked at the side of the A614 near Clumber Park shortly after 11pm on 28 July.
Unaware at that point that the vehicle had been stolen the previous day, an officer stopped to offer assistance.
Keen to avoid a conversation with police, Bald drove away at speed and was pursued by the officer.
In the minutes that followed, Bald joined the A1, where he made repeated last-second evasive manoeuvres, at one point causing an HGV driver to take evasive action.
Multiple units then joined the pursuit, which ended after about 20 minutes when a tyre-deflating stinger device was deployed.
Bald, who has a previous conviction for a similar offence, later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on 17 September, Bald, of no fixed address, was jailed for 20 months.
PC Michael Reaney, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“This was an appalling display of driving that put multiple lives at risk.
“Fortunately, as getaway vehicles go this one was far from ideal, even without the additional drag caused by the pop-up roof bed.
“I am pleased this individual has now been returned to prison and that other road users have been protected from him.”
