An unqualified driver who clipped a police car while trying to evade officers has been jailed. Police spotted an Audi linked to drug offences being driven by teenager Mackie Newton in Stockwood, Bristol Crown Court heard.
When they tried to pull the car over it sped off. But after a pursuit of some seven minutes - in which the Audi clipped a police car wing mirror, police found the car dumped and Newton lying on grass nearby.
The 19-year-old, whose address was given as Chesterfield Close in Orpington, Kent, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving in December 2021. He also admitted possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply, and possessing cannabis, in January this year.
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Judge Julian Lambert jailed him for two years and four months. He told Newton: "You are required to resist temptation according to law.
"You had a good example set by your parents. You should have resisted temptation."
Newton was banned from driving for 12 months. He was told to take an extended driving test.
Althea Brooks, prosecuting, said at one stage in the police pursuit a police car was forced to the side of the road and Newton mounted the kerb and drove into a bush. He clipped the police car's mirror and drove off, the court heard.
Having been lost to sight, members of the public directed police to the fleeing Audi. Police then found Newton lying on some grass and the Audi parked a short distance away.
Newton was arrested and gave police a statement saying he was not driving the car. He had no proper driving licence or insurance.
In a separate incident, police who came upon a group of people in St Pauls detained Newton. He was found to have 37 wraps of Class A drugs heroin and cocaine, valued at some £300, and a small amount of cannabis.
Charlotte Godber, defending, said her client had a love for sport and achieved a promising start in football. But his dream of becoming a professional player was dashed due to a knee injury and, after leaving school, he fell in with a criminal fraternity and turned to offending.
Miss Godber said: "He takes full responsibility for his actions. He is full of remorse." She urged for a suspended jail term, saying Newton had been a drug runner and there was nothing to suggest he had a significant role.
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