Understand
Police ram fleeing car to prevent it driving the wrong way down the A1(M)
Overview
Police officers rammed a fleeing vehicle to stop banned driver Matthew Cannings-Kent from entering the A1(M) in the wrong direction near Darlington. Cannings-Kent reached speeds of 70mph in a 30mph zone and drove erratically while trying to escape police. He admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and having no insurance, and was found guilty of going equipped for theft after officers found gloves and tin snips in his car. He received a 13-month suspended prison sentence, a two-year driving ban, and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 in court costs.
Key points
- Police rammed a fleeing car to stop banned driver Matthew Cannings-Kent from driving the wrong way down the A1(M) near Darlington.
- Cannings-Kent reached speeds of 70mph in a 30mph zone and went the wrong way round a roundabout during the police pursuit.
- He admitted to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and having no insurance, and was convicted of going equipped for theft.
- Officers found gloves and tin snips inside his vehicle following his arrest.
- He was sentenced to 13 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, handed a two-year driving ban, ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay £500 in court costs.