Dangerous driver swerves prison after 100mph chase through North Notts

Officers suspected Kohl Bennett was conducting a drug deal in his red Mondeo, on Harrison Drive, Langold, at 2.15pm, on April 19, prosecutor Fergus Malone.

He reversed the car away at speed, wheels spinning, and a chase began, which saw Bennett reach speeds of 80mph in residential streets where the limit is 30mph.

He joined Doncaster Road and reached 70mph, "swerving in and out of traffic" before driving the wrong way down one-way Firbank Crescent.

Bennett headed towards Langold Country Park, before dropping off a female passenger, and spinning the car around the way it had come.

He drove straight at them and forced the police to take evasive action, before reaching speeds of 100mph on the A60.

When he turned off at Tickhill he nearly collided with a motorbike and a lorry. The Mondeo was located on Westgate and Bennet was found lying in a nearby garden, "shaking," with the car keys in his hand.

The court heard he has four convictions for eight offences, but none for driving matters.

Michael Cane-Soothill, mitigating, said he deserved credit for his early guilty plea and panicked because he had no licence or insurance..

"It's fortunate there were no accidents or injuries,” he said. “Looking back he realises how serious that driving was and describes himself as stupid.”

He said Bennett, who claims benefits, bought the car so he could find a job. His partner is expecting their second child and jailing him would impact on her. He suffers from long-standing anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Bennett, 22, of Morrison Avenue, Maltby, Rotherham, admitted dangerous driving, driving without a licence or insurance, failing to provide and using a false number plate, when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on May 6.

On Thursday, Recorder Simon King told him the offence merited custody, but work with the probation service would save taxpayers the cost of jailing him and teach him to be more responsible.

He imposed a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years, with 31 sessions to improve Bennett’ss thinking skills and 15 rehabilitation days.

He was banned for 18 months and can’t drive again until he passes a re-test.

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