An intoxicated driver under the influence of Valium and cocaine refused to stop for police and claimed he was "too wrecked" to provide a sample for testing. He also told police he was drinking 41% proof alcohol while behind the wheel.
Bradley McCann, 28, became involved in a police chase in Barry in the early hours of June 19 when officers were called to a "disturbance" in Holton Road. But the defendant left the scene in a green Fiat Punto.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard he was seen by police in Thompson Street but turned his vehicle around and drove off erratically. He was then seen on Winston Road with his headlights switched off.
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Prosecutor Alexander Orndal said the defendant reached speeds of 75 mph along residential streets and crossed onto the wrong side of the road at a T junction and a roundabout., before mounting a grass verge. He was finally brought to a stop in Dudley Place after being boxed in by police vehicles, but he caused injury to an officer in a "rear end shunt".
McCann, of Church Road, Barry, was arrested and found to be a disqualified driver. He underwent a roadside drug testing procedure and tested positive for cocaine. When he was taken to the police, he appeared to act "drowsy and unresponsive" and became aggressive when police asked to take a sample, claiming he was "too wrecked" and "didn't like needles".
The defendant told police he had been drinking 41% alcohol while driving and had taken four Valium tablets and cocaine, and fled from police because he was afraid of being recalled to prison. He later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, failing to provide a specimen and failing to stop.
The court heard McCann was previously sentenced to 40 months imprisonment for aggravated vehicle taking and burglary and was on licence at the time of the current offence. He also had convictions for another offence of aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving.
In mitigation, Adam Sharp said his client had purchased the vehicle for his partner but had "foolishly" decided to drive the car. He said the defendant's father had died a month before the offence and McCann had been "struggling" to come to terms with it. The barrister also told the court McCann had previously been stabbed four times in the abdomen which caused him issues with sleeping, breathing and his mental health.
Recorder Bruce Gardiner sentenced McCann to a total of 15 months imprisonment. The defendant was also disqualified from driving for 49-and-a-half months.
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