An unqualified, uninsured driver led police into two dangerous car chases within a month, according to a court.
Mechanic Samuel Young was sitting in his converted Mini One when he tried to escape police in March before colliding with a car and truck.
After his arrest and release, he was behind the wheel of his mother’s Ford Mondeo about four weeks later when he was followed by the same officer and collided with the police car.
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Young, 26, of Raglan Close, Chilcompton, near Radstock, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on March 18 and April 10.
Judge Euan Ambrose sentenced him to eight months’ imprisonment, with a two-year suspended sentence.
The judge told him today (Thursday October 21): “You know you shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
“You know you shouldn’t have driven the way you did.”
Young was instructed to undergo a thinking skills program and up to 30 days of rehabilitation.
He was also told to do 200 hours of unpaid work, pay £ 1,200 in compensation, and was banned from driving for two years.
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Prosecutor Neil Treharne said police tried to stop Young in his Mini around 1:30 p.m., but he sped off and led them on a 15-minute 13-mile chase.
Bristol Crown Court heard him driving single lane roads, crossing major roads, and then driving down major roads before colliding with an oncoming Ford Fiesta and Scania truck.
After stopping, he fled through an industrial area but was arrested, the court heard.
A month later, the same policeman spotted Young driving a Ford Mondeo at high speed and went into pursuit.
On that occasion, Young was paced at 60 mph through a 30 mile zone and braided across the road, Mr. Treharne said.
When the police drove next to him, he crossed them and damaged both the Mondeo and the police car before driving to his home.
He was arrested and made no comment.
Jack Barry, who defended himself, said Young was truly remorseful for his actions that followed a relationship break and a deterioration in his sanity.
Mr. Barry said, “He was not thinking logically or clearly.
“He accepts that it was stupid and irresponsible.
“He feels a lot clearer and more logical about life now.”
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