A CYCLIST was almost knocked down and a police officer nearly run over when a man led officers on a dangerous pursuit reaching speeds of up to 110mph across Mid Wales.

Kane John Carlin, who admitted dangerous driving at a previous hearing at Welshpool Magistrates Court last month, received a suspended prison sentence at Mold Crown Court on Thursday, October 1. He’d also admitted driving without insurance at Welshpool on September 1.

The 30-year-old led two police officers on a chase after initially being stopped on the A483 entering Newtown on March 29, driving on the wrong side of the road and almost running over PC Jones who had originally pulled him over.

Prosecutor Sarah Badrawy told the court that Carlin, of Essendon Road, Birmingham, was signalled to stop his grey Ford Fiesta ST by PC Jones at around 12.30pm on the A483 Newtown bypass.

“PC Jones asked the defendant to stop the engine, he indicated he would and moved his hand towards the stop button,” said Ms Badrawy.

“But the officer then heard the car revved extremely high and the car’s wheels span from under his feet, causing him to jump back and avoid being driven over, before accelerating hard across the roundabout and onto the bypass.

“The defendant drove past Sargent Hamer coming the other way. In attempting to catch the defendant Sgt Hamer recorded driving at speeds up to 110mph.

“The defendant took the first exit towards Dolfor and drove on the wrong side of the road on an extremely sharp corner. He continued up the bank, along a series of bends, cutting across them.

“Sgt Hamer tried to pass the defendant on more than one occasion but he refused to allow him alongside his car, he continued to fail to stop and as he approached another bend he almost hit a cyclist riding in the same direction.

“Sgt Hamer attempted to stop him tactically but the defendant then spun in the road and drove at PC Jones, causing him to exit his vehicle to avoid being hit. He disappeared out of sight going back to Newtown. The next time PC Jones saw the vehicle it had been stopped by Sgt Hamer and the defendant was being detained.”

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Carlin accepted the majority of offences in interview but minimised the suggested speeds, saying he didn’t stop because he panicked and thought he’d lose his licence, admitting his driving was “a bit stupid at times”.

Theresa Hunt, acting for Carlin, who was convicted of driving without insurance in December last year, said her client did not seek to minimise his conduct before the court, something he had attempted to do after being arrested.

“He’s thoroughly remorseful and ashamed and embarrassed about why he appeared to minimise his behaviour, but he does not seek to do so before the court today,” she said.

“He knows there is a real likelihood of being sent to custody, but an alternate punishment could be done in the community.

“An immediate custodial sentence would be of too modest a length to have any real input in his rehabilitation. A suspended sentence would be an appropriate way to punish and rehabilitate.”

Ms Hunt revealed Carlin had been fired from his previous job working for a garage in light of this offence; he had been driving the car from that garage on the day in question without being insured.

“The relationship was broken due to the commission of this offence. He now works for another local garage, working 15 hours a week but he is awaiting the outcome of this case, with a view to his hours being increased should he not receive an immediate custodial sentence.

“He has a partner and two young children, the youngest being four-months-old, and a two-year-old. Although he lives with his mum he sees his family on a daily basis to assist with childcare. He is extremely worried how his family would manage should he receive a custodial sentence. He knows it’s time to put these matters behind him and grow up, and support his family.”

Recorder Duncan Bould ordered Carlin to serve an eight-month prison term, but suspended it for two years.

“This was a case of extremely poor driving, you should have been on your best behaviour due to the points already on your licence a few months earlier,” he said.

“You feared being disqualified, I dare say you appreciate now that would have been a minor punishment compared to the circumstances and risk you’ve placed yourself and your family at.

“When I first looked at the papers I was perfectly satisfied the custody threshold has been passed and was going to have to be immediate but there are three things that have persuaded me to draw back from sending you to custody immediately.

“The first is your guilty plea, although I’m not persuaded at all that you are remorseful. The second is you are providing support to your young family, two small children will suffer if you go to prison today. The third is a probation report asking to consider the alternative.

“You’ve come within a hair’s breadth of going down these stairs and saying goodbye to your partner and children for eight months.”

In addition to the suspended sentence, Carlin must complete 200 hours of unpaid work, adhere to 15 days rehabilitation activities and attend a thinking skills programme.

He was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay £340 costs and a £149 surcharge.