A serial motor menace was snared after his car "gave up the ghost" and broke down on a hill during a police pursuit.
Terence Dunn already had a staggering 63 past convictions for driving while disqualified and four for dangerous driving when he got behind the wheel of his BMW and led an officer on a chase through residential streets in Sunderland. A court heard that the 62-year-old initially clocked 60mph in 20mph zones but was forced to dramatically reduce his speed when his car started suffering from mechanical difficulties.
The officer was able to get out his vehicle and smash the windscreen of Dunn's car but he still failed to stop and the slow pursuit continued until the BMW broke down on a hill, prosecutors said.
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The career crook, of Shaftoe Road, in Sunderland, is now back behind bars after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at Newcastle Crown Court. Jailing him for nine months, Recorder Simon Goldberg said Dunn showed a lack of "insight and remorse", adding: "This incident was prolonged and involved failing to stop for the police on several occasions, causing another vehicle to swerve to avoid a collision and driving at 60mph in a 20mph zone. In short, this was dangerous driving and you were very lucky you didn't cause serious injury to a member of public."
The court heard that an officer was travelling along Thorney Close, in Sunderland, at around 1.30pm on March 20 this year when he saw Dunn working under a BMW, which was parked on the side of the road. When Dunn saw the constable, he got into the vehicle and drove off.
Kevin Wardlaw, prosecuting, said the officer began to pursue Dunn, who had put his foot down. Mr Wardlaw added: "The defendant made off from the officer. He drove at speeds of 60mph through streets in the area. He took a junction at such speed, ignoring a give way sign, that an oncoming vehicle had to take evasive action to avoid a collision between the two of them."
The court was told that Dunn's car began to suffer mechanical difficulties and it's speed was significantly restricted, allowing the officer to get out his vehicle, walk up to Dunn's and smash a passenger window. However, Dunn still didn't stop and told the constable to "f*** off".
Mr Wardlaw said a slow pursuit ensued and continued even after the officer was able to smash Dunn's windscreen. The crook was finally arrested when his car "gave up the ghost" on a hill.
Tony Cornberg, defending, said it wasn't the worst case of dangerous driving. He added: "For once, at 62, he seems to have a fairly stable address of his own and some work available to him."
Dunn was also banned from driving for two years, nine months and five days.
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