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Gloucestershire Business News

Stroud driver jailed after judge says he 'played a game of chance with strangers'

A 43-year-old Stroud man's dangerous driving was so dramatic that police dashcam footage of the chase was like a scene from a movie, a court was told yesterday.

The video of unlicensed driver Daniel Hall at the wheel of a red Ford Puma as he drove dangerously around Gloucester for six minutes on February 27 year this year - hitting two other vehicles - was played at Gloucester crown court before he was sentenced.

Judge Michael Cullum jailed Hall for a year after commenting "He played a game of chance with strangers, driving at speed along the whole route, and often on the wrong side of the road.

"Hall had total disregard of the safety of others, putting them at risk.

"The description for his dangerous driving in words alone is not sufficient."

Prosecutor Janine Wood said: "Police officers first spotted the car behaving erratically on the Tredworth Road and followed it up to speeds of 70mph through the city with Hall having general disregard for other road users."

The prosecutor told the court that when Hall collided with another vehicle and came to a halt he was arrested and taken to Gloucestershire Police's custody suite to be searched. 

His passenger escaped and went on the run and is still at large. Hall had never passed a driving test.

A quantity of 2.86grammes of crack cocaine was found hidden in Hall's backside when he was searched. He also failed to provide a urine specimen.

Hall, of Hill Top Close in Slad, Stroud admitted possessing a quantity of cocaine on February 27 this year; driving without insurance, driving without a valid licence and failure to provide a urine specimen at the time of arrest.

Joe Maloney, defending, said: "Hall has expressed real remorse over his actions and has remained out of trouble since the offence was committed nine months ago.

"Currently he is dependent on food banks until his benefits are sorted out. He does have health issues and he has been referred to local agencies."

Judge Cullum said to Hall: "Driving the way you did means that it can only be a custodial sentence.

"You are not a man with a good character as aside from your driving you were found in possession of class A drugs as well as failing to provide a urine specimen at the time of arrest.

"Your driving was right at the top of the dangerous driving classification - without causing injury.

"You did not stop when you hit the first car and only came to a halt when you collided with the second."

The judge jailed Hall for one year, disqualified him from driving for two years, endorsed his driving licence for driving without insurance and driving without a valid licence.

He also ordered him to take an extended driving test once his ban expires, and to pay a victim surcharge.

The judge also ordered for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

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