Swindon driver jailed after carrying children in car chase

Ali reached speeds of up to 70mph in a 30mph zone while carrying four children in the back of his car

A man who reached speeds of 70mph in a 30mph zone while being chased by police, despite having four children in his car, has been jailed.

Mohammed Yusuf Ali, 25, of Downton Road, Penhill, Swindon lead police on the high-speed pursuit in Swindon on 23 August 2023.

Wiltshire Police said one of the children was not restrained and was standing in the footwell.

Ali was jailed for 14 months at Swindon Crown Court on Friday.

He admitted dangerous driving, possession of cannabis and failing to stop following a collision.

Police first saw Ali on Cricklade Road driving a Volvo with what appeared to be illegal window tints

The court was told how road policing officers were carrying out patrols as part of road safety campaign Project Zero when they saw a Volvo V70 being driven by Ali on Cricklade Road, with what appeared to be illegal window tints.

A pursuit was authorised when Ali accelerated away after police signalled for him to pull over.

Police said he then continued onto Chapel Street and into Gorse Hill, reaching speeds of up to 70mph in a 30mph zone, going through several sets of red traffic lights and eventually colliding with a stationary van.

The pursuit eventually came to an end after Ali pulled into a pub cark park in Southbrook Road, where he ran from the vehicle and attempted to climb a fence.

'Total disregard'

Three children under the age of five were then discovered in the rear seats of his car, with a fourth child found standing unrestrained in the footwell.

Ali was also found in possession of cannabis.

PC Nick Slade of the Roads Policing Unit said they were "appalled" and Ali's driving showed "a total disregard" for the children's lives.

PC Slade said: "It does not bear thinking about what could have happened had other road users not acted quickly in taking evasive action.

"The children who were put through this upsetting ordeal will undoubtedly suffer some long-term effects as a result however, I am extremely pleased that nobody was injured during the incident."

Ali was also banned from driving for 36 months.