Driver who engaged in two separate police pursuits whilst disqualified sentanced
Rebian Bilalaj has been sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders institution
A dangerous driver who led police on not just one but two pursuits through Northampton in the space of three weeks has been sentenced to 18 months in a Young Offender Institution.
Shortly before midday on Friday, March 7, a Northamptonshire Police dog handler attempted to carry out a routine stop on a silver Vauxhall Astra in Abington Square in Northampton town centre.
Despite the activation of the marked police vehicle’s blue lights and siren, Rebian Bilalaj drove off and as he travelled through the town at excessive speed his driving became more reckless as he tried to evade the police.
Ignoring red traffic lights, the 18-year-old drove on the wrong side of the road and had several near collisions with other road users
He then joined the eastbound carriageway of the A45 before leaving at the junction for the A43 at Riverside. Once on Lumbertubs Way, he turned into Standens Barn Road, where he lost control of the car and crashed into a roadside barrier.
Bilalaj decamped from the car and the pursuit continued. Following a short foot chase, he was detained and arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.
He was further arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class B drug after two bags of cannabis were found inside a black bag in the boot of the car.
Additional checks in custody also found that Bilalaj, of Lutterworth Road, Northampton, did not hold a full UK driving licence and therefore wasn’t insured to drive the car.
The following day (March 8), he appeared before Northampton Magistrates’ Court charged with dangerous driving, possession of a controlled Class B drug (cannabis), driving otherwise in accordance with a licence and with no third-party insurance.
After entering no plea, his case was committed to Northampton Crown Court for trial, and he was released on conditional bail. However, shortly before 1am on Tuesday, March 25, he was caught back behind the wheel of a black Range Rover.
Bilalaj actively engaged in a second pursuit after failing to stop for officers
On this occasion, Bilalaj reached speeds of 100mph and caused minor damage to two police cars when he attempted to break free after trained officers used containment tactics to stop him near Ecton Brook.
Bilalaj was subsequently charged with a further count of dangerous driving, driving with no insurance, without a driving licence and on March 26, appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court.
This time he pleaded guilty to the new charges, and was remanded in custody, until his first appearance at Northampton Crown Court, when he admitted all seven offences.
Last month (April 23), Bilalaj returned to the same court, and was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment in a Young Offender Institution for two counts of dangerous driving and the possession of a Class B drug.
He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and must pass an extended test to obtain his licence. The other driving offences – no licence and no insurance – were ordered to remain on file.
Investigation officer, PC Tom Cottle, from the Force’s Road Policing Team, said: “Rebian Bilalaj showed a complete disregard for the courts, innocent road users and police by leading us on two dangerous pursuits in the space of three weeks.
“Fortunately, no one was injured by his dangerous driving during either pursuit, but his actions resulted in damage to our police vehicles, which meant time off the road and cost to repair – impacting our ability to do our jobs.
“Thanks to the efforts of our Roads Policing Team, I’m pleased to see Bilalaj has been handed an 18-month prison sentence – our roads are a safer place without him on them.”
Tragically in 2024, 31 people never returned home safely to their loved ones following a collision in Northamptonshire and 243 required urgent medical assistance for serious or life-changing injuries.
Northampton police urge anyone with information about road safety concerns or any vehicle crime is asked to report it online here or call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The force say to always call 999 in the event of an emergency, such as a crime in progress or where life is at risk.