Driver Jailed for Ramming Police Car in High-Speed Chase Assisted by Police Aircraft

In a dramatic pursuit, 47-year-old Andrew James, who rammed a police car while trying to evade capture, has been sentenced to jail. The incident occurred on the evening of Friday, 27 October, in Mansfield.

James was behind the wheel of a stolen Ford Fiesta, originally taken from South Yorkshire and equipped with false plates. Nottinghamshire Police’s roads policing officers initiated the chase when they spotted the vehicle.

In a frantic effort to escape, James led the police on a high-speed chase along Southwell Road West, eventually turning onto Old Newark Road, a narrow dirt track frequented by dog walkers. During the pursuit, he recklessly reversed into the police car, injuring the officer driving it.

The chase came to an abrupt end when James lost control of the Fiesta and crashed into a tree on the Bellamy Road estate. Crucial footage from a police aircraft, called in to assist, confirmed that James was the sole occupant of the car.

James, from Cross Row, Sutton-in-Ashfield, admitted to charges of aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Nottingham Crown Court.

Sergeant Karam Kaur of Nottinghamshire Police commented on the severity of the incident, emphasizing the danger James posed to both the officers and the public. The sentencing aims to deliver a stern warning about the serious consequences of such reckless actions.