Serial danger driver fled twice from police
Northumbria PoliceA serial dangerous driver who rammed a police car during one of two pursuits in as many months has been jailed for one and a half years.
Kevin Belton, 38, was already banned from driving when he sped away from officers in Sunderland in December and January, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Belton, who had 45 offences on his record, admitted driving while disqualified, fraudulent use of registration plates and two counts of dangerous driving.
Judge Carolyn Scott said Belton, from Coxhoe in County Durham, had an "appalling driving record" and posed a "high risk of serious harm" to others.
A police officer spotted a Peugeot 307, which was believed to be using false plates and suspected to be connected to thefts in Durham, on Sunderland's Dame Dorothy Street on 8 December, prosecutor Claire Armstrong said.
A pursuit ensued in which the driver, later identified as Belton through DNA discovered on a hat found on the back seat, rammed one police car and narrowly avoided hitting another, the court heard.
Belton drove off at speed over a grassy area to "make good his escape", the court heard.
He was arrested a short while later but made no comment in his interview with officers, the court heard.
Living in his car
On 31 January, two police cars were involved in a pursuit with Belton after he was spotted driving on the A690, Armstrong said.
Officers were so concerned for safety they abandoned the pursuit, with the discarded vehicle being found later with false number plates fitted, the court heard.
His record included multiple driving offences dating back to 2007, including a dangerous driving case for which he was banned for two years and until he passed an extended retest, the court heard.
In mitigation, Jane Foley said Belton, an ex-soldier with post-traumatic stress disorder, was living in his car at the time of the pursuits as his life was "in a state of considerable instability".
She said he accepted he had a "poor history" and previous punishments had failed to prevent him committing more crime, but he was looking to rebuild his life.
The judge said she accepted Belton's life may have been "difficult" but it was no excuse
She said: "You took the conscious decision to get in a car and drive, putting members of the public and police officers at risk in wholly unnecessary circumstances."
She also banned Belton from driving for a further three years and nine months.
