Man sentenced after fleeing police and crashing into Swindon shop front
The crash caused around ÂŁ100,000 worth of damage
A man's been sentenced for trying to escape from police and crashing his car into Swindon shop front.
The court heard how Liam Wells was spotted driving without lights in Pinehurst Road by police officers in an unmarked police car. He failed to stop after the police activated their car’s blue lights and siren.
At one point, 31 year-old Wells was driving at 78mph in a 30mph zone before losing control and colliding with the shop front of Michael's Workwear on Cricklade Road.
At an earlier hearing, he had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drug driving, driving uninsured and without a licence.
Wells was sentenced to 16 months custody suspended for two years at Swindon Crown Court on Monday. He was also banned from driving for two years.
PC Sean Williams of the Wiltshire Police Serious Collision Investigation Team said: “Wells showed complete disregard to members of the public when he decided to drive away from officers at speeds far exceeding the limit for the roads he was on.
“It was a matter of luck that someone was not seriously hurt in this collision. The car crashed next door to a takeaway with numerous people inside at the time.
“When I approached the scene shortly after the collision, I was fully expecting to be confronted by at least one fatality.
“I hope this sentence sends a clear message that such reckless driving is entirely unacceptable.”