Jailed driver hit speeds of 90mph in 30mph zone

A man who raced through three sets of red traffic lights and drove at 90mph in a 30mph zone has been jailed for more than a year.

Timmy James also drove the wrong way around a roundabout while he was being pursued by police in Harrogate on 7 June.

James, 39, of Hawes Road in Harrogate, was eventually arrested after he rammed a police car, causing £5,000 of damage to the vehicle.

At York Crown Court on Thursday, he was sentenced to 14 months in prison and was banned from driving for 31 months.

James was jailed for 14 months and banned from driving for two years and seven months

James refused to pull over after officers became suspicious of his driving shortly before 21:30 BST.

The driver increased his speed to 50mph on a 30mph road when he joined the A59 Knaresborough Road and subsequently drove the wrong way around the Empress roundabout.

His "erratic and dangerous" driving continued until he reached speeds of 90mph, "driving heavily over speed bumps and going through three red traffic lights", North Yorkshire Police said.

The pursuit ended in a housing estate, with James driving into the pursuit vehicle.

"James' shocking manner of driving was extremely dangerous, putting members of the public and himself at great risk of serious injury or worse," said traffic constable Gary Dukes.

"This incident could very well have had a devastating conclusion."

James was told he must pay a £187 surcharge and would be required to take an extended driving test following his ban.

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