Timothy Taylor, 32, from Newport, has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after leading officers on a dangerous pursuit in a stolen Ford Fiesta. The chase, which took place through Risca and Cross Keys on February 17, saw Taylor drive recklessly, traveling on the wrong side of the road, speeding through heavy traffic, and narrowly avoiding collisions.
In an attempt to evade capture, Taylor mounted a kerb to avoid a police stinger designed to deflate his tyres. After abandoning his vehicle in Risca, he ran to Tesco where he tried to hide but was eventually arrested thanks to guidance from a police helicopter. During his arrest, officers found three snap bags of cocaine on Taylor’s person.
The defendant, who has never passed a driving test, was also driving with a passenger. Prosecutor Amelia Pike highlighted that Taylor already had three previous convictions for dangerous driving.
In addition to the driving offenses, Taylor was sentenced for a burglary in Caerwent, near Caldicot, in December 2023, where he stole £300 in cash. His DNA was found at the scene, leading to his identification.
Taylor admitted charges of burglary, dangerous driving, handling stolen goods, possession of cannabis, and driving without insurance. He has a long criminal history, including a previous 42-month prison sentence for burglary and a six-month sentence last year for possession of an offensive weapon.
Judge Carl Harrison told Taylor that his reckless driving could lead to serious injury or death, either to himself or others. Taylor was also disqualified from driving for 18 months after his release from prison and ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge.
