This dramatic CCTV footage shows the moment a dangerous driver smashed into three vehicles before crashing into a brick wall in Retford.
Brennan Cullen, 21, was driving a red Seat Leon which was stopped in Cobwell Road after police suspected he was driving while disqualified.
After the Leon became boxed in, two police cars pulled up behind it before officers got out and approached the driver. The officers tried to open the doors but they were locked.
Cullen, of Queen Street, Retford, then drove forward before reversing into a Mercedes Sprinter van and into a police car.
The officers shouted for Cullen to stop and smashed the driver’s side window but Cullen drove forward at speed, hitting a stationary Volvo Estate and shunting it forward.
He reversed again, hitting the van with such force that its door was virtually ripped off as the driver was about to get out.
After squeezing between the van and a police car Cullen crashed into a brick wall before he was arrested.
One of the police officers suffered minor leg injuries as Cullen tried to drive away and the van driver also suffered minor injuries. The incident happened at around 2.30 pm on 20 January 2020.
Cullen appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Monday (16 March 2020) having previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, three counts of criminal damage, driving with no insurance and driving while disqualified.
Cullen was jailed for 10 months for dangerous driving and received lesser concurrent sentences for driving while disqualified and criminal damage offences. His licence will be endorsed for having no insurance.
He also received a three-year driving ban, with five months added on to cover half Cullen’s sentence before his release on licence.
Detective Constable Emma Temple, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Cullen’s extremely dangerous driving could easily have resulted in more serious consequences.
“I’m amazed that no-one suffered any serious injuries as a result of his actions. It was pure luck that no-one got in his way as he clearly had no regard for anyone’s safety. He could have killed someone.”
Reckless and dangerous driving, speeding and vehicle nuisance are among the current priorities being focussed upon in the Bassetlaw area, including Retford.
Now Nottinghamshire Police is encouraging communities across the county to have their say on local policing priorities after the force launched its new ‘what matters’ neighbourhood policing priority survey.
The ‘what matters’ survey – one of the biggest public consultation exercises in the force’s history – will give the public a genuine opportunity to influence where police focus their efforts in their area.
The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and is now available for members of the public to complete online at www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/whatmatters Anyone who completes the survey will also be given the opportunity to register to receive further updates, alerts and crime prevention advice from Nottinghamshire Police officers in their area via Neighbourhood Alert.
As well as being made available online, the public will also be able to complete the survey face-to-face with local officers in their area as part of their everyday work to ensure that as many views as possible are considered.
Inspector Neil Bellamy, Neighbourhood Policing Inspector responsible for local policing in the Bassetlaw area, said: “Nottinghamshire Police will take all steps to get drivers off the road who drive dangerously and put the safety of other road users at risk.
“We are currently planning some traffic operations on East Bassetlaw. This will primarily concentrate on speeding and use of mobile phones. Together with the fire service we will focus on educating the drivers and look to prosecute those who flaunt the law.”
