Driver jailed after attempting to escape police in Swindon

Wheeler attempted to drive away from police but got stuck in a field where he was arrested

A disqualified driver who tried to escape from police but got stuck in a field has been jailed for 12 months.

Kieran Wheeler, 26, from Swindon, was seen driving in Swindon with a defective headlight on 2 April.

When officers turned on their blue lights, Wheeler attempted to reverse before driving through a narrow opening in a fence and across a footpath onto a field, where he got stuck.

He ran off but was detained by officers.

Wheeler was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Swindon Crown Court on 14 November, after he pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including driving whilst disqualified and obstructing police.

He was also given a two year driving ban plus an extension period of six months and ordered to pay a surcharge of £187.

Roads policing officers initially witnessed Wheeler driving a black Mazda on Marlborough Road with a defective headlight.

The vehicle turned off at Marlborough Road onto Day House Lane without indicating.

Officers followed Wheeler and the vehicle was seen to swerve, almost colliding with the verge before coming to a stop.

'Selfish and mindless'

After being detained, he initially gave false details but was later found to be driving whilst disqualified and without insurance and was arrested.

In custody, he failed to provide an evidential sample of blood for drug analysis.

PC Luke Hobbs said: "Wheeler did everything in his power to evade police, driving off at speed despite officers requesting him to stop, running from police and later giving false details and failing to provide.

"His standard of driving showed absolutely no regard for other road users or pedestrians - it is extremely fortunate that nobody was injured or worse killed as a result of Wheeler's selfish and mindless actions.

"I'm pleased a custodial sentence has been given on this occasion. His actions could have had extremely serious consequences and it is only right that he must now serve a prison sentence as well as a lengthy driving ban."