A driver who tailgated and chased what he believed was another motorist was in fact pursuing an unmarked police car, a court has heard.
Mattias Webb sounded his horn and flashed his lights at the vehicle, which had no visible markings and concealed emergency lights, shortly before 11pm on 4 January last year.
When officers activated their blue lights, Webb failed to stop. Instead, he overtook the police car and led officers on a pursuit through Worksop and Gateford in heavy rain.
Nottingham Crown Court heard the chase lasted around 2.5 miles, beginning on Shireoaks Road and ending on Boscombe Road.
During the pursuit, Webb reached speeds of about 60mph in a 30mph zone. He passed hundreds of residential properties and drove through a red traffic light, putting other road users at risk.
He eventually headed to his home address on Boscombe Road, where police dashcam footage captured him abandoning the van and running inside. He was arrested shortly afterwards.
In custody, Webb denied being the driver and initially entered not guilty pleas. However, he later changed his plea on 28 January and admitted one count of dangerous driving.
At his sentencing on Wednesday (25 March), the court heard Webb, now 25, had turned off his vehicle lights during the pursuit.
Webb, of Boscombe Road, Gateford, was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also banned from driving for three years, ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, and must undertake 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
PC Dave Stafford, of the roads policing team, said Webb had attempted to evade responsibility by fleeing and denying he had been driving, but was identified through dashcam footage.
He added the driving had been “incredibly dangerous” and said it was fortunate no one was harmed.
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