Nuneaton man sentenced for driving wrong way in stolen van
David Mumford's been sentenced to four months in prison.
David Mumford, 39 of Coton Road, Nuneaton, has been sentenced to four months in prison after driving dangerously in a stolen van whilst disqualified and colliding with another vehicle on Newtown Road, Bedworth.
Mumford has also been disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving license for 45 months and until an extended test of competence has been passed.
In addition, he will be required to pay a victim’s surcharge of £187.
The van, a white Mercedes Sprinter, was reported stolen to West Midlands police on the 21 August by a delivery driver in Coventry.
On Sunday 3 September, Northamptonshire Police commenced a pursuit of a stolen vehicle, confirmed to be the Sprinter van on cloned plates.
The pursuit crossed the border down the M6 Northbound, where Mumford drove down the wrong direction on the A444 at high speed.
Northants Police were forced to abandon their chase due to risks of head-on collision with the public, but a police helicopter continued to track the vehicle.
Mumford took the junction into Newtown Road, Bedworth, where the van collided at speed with another vehicle.
The unfortunate passengers in the other vehicle were later taken to hospital for minor injuries.
Mumford, along with a passenger, attempted to make a break for it, but were quickly arrested by officers from Warwickshire Police.
Inside the van was discovered a motorbike, which had itself been reported stolen from an address in Coventry.
On 3 October, Mumford was found guilty of driving a motor vehicle dangerously, for possession of cannabis, for driving while disqualified and without insurance, and for receiving stolen goods.
PC Halfacree from Bedworth Patrol Investigations Unit said “It’s a miracle that no-one was killed as a result of Mumford’s reckless driving.
“Frankly, even a provisional license holder should know that driving the wrong way up a 70mph max road is a phenomenally bad idea.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Northamptonshire Police for their vigilance in identifying the vehicle and pursuing it as far as possible.
“We are happy that some good came out of this in the seizure of the intact stolen motorbike, and in that we’ve given Mr Mumford some time to consider his life choices and the people he has hurt.”