A man who was pursued whilst driving a stolen van on the A55 last month has been jailed.

 

Shortly before 9am on Monday 21 June, the North Wales Police Control Room were notified that a Transit van on false plates had entered North Wales via the A55.

Officers caught up with the van which was travelling westbound near to Penmaenmawr and they continued to follow. The driver was also wanted by other forces for other offences and also on a recall to prison.

The van, which had been stolen from the Manchester area earlier that same day, continued to travel along the A55 towards Llanfairfechan whereby officers made attempts to bring it safely off the A55.

Working in pairs, two officers from the Roads Policing Unit managed to bring the van off at the Junction 11 off-slip for Llandegai, Bangor, where the Intercept Team were waiting with a stinger.

The van collided with the side of a HGV before it came to a stop and the driver was arrested. He was taken into police custody where he was later charged and remanded for court the following day.

42-year-old Mark Robert Phillips of no fixed abode, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on July 23rd where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, failing to stop and driving without insurance. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison and was disqualified from driving for 41 months – until extended test passed.

Colleagues from Greater Manchester Police are continuing to investigate the stolen van aspect and enquiries are ongoing.

PC Daniel Edwards of the Roads Policing Unit said: “Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right. This incident could easily have led to someone being seriously injured; fortunately no one was in this case.

“Drivers who do not hold a licence and are uninsured pose a significant danger to other road users. Phillips clearly thought he was above the law and that he could get away with driving whilst disqualified and not insured. He was sorely mistaken and is now behind bars facing the consequences of his foolish actions.

“The rules of the road apply to everyone. They are not just there to protect you but also to protect other motorists.

“We hope this sends out a clear message to people who continually flout motoring laws that they face the prospect of custodial sentences, not just a financial penalty.”

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