A plumber who had been out drinking ended up in a police chase after accepting a lift home in a stolen Asda delivery van – which was later used to ram a police car and cause it £24,000 worth of damage.
Thomas Clarke, 36, had drunk more than usual when he got into the vehicle, which had been stolen by his friend after it was left unattended during a delivery to a customer in Gillingham on October 25.
But police caught up with them in New Road, Rochester, and during a pursuit the driver of the van rammed the police patrol car three times by reversing into it.
The van, which suffered £50,000 worth of damage during the incident, only came to a stop when a stinger was deployed.
Clarke, of Milton Road, Gillingham, ran from the scene, but officers chased and arrested him. He was later charged with aggravated vehicle taking and admitted the offence when he appeared in court in February.
He returned to Medway Magistrates’ Court on July 18 to learn his fate.
Piers Restell, prosecuting, revealed that the driver reversed the van into the police car in a bid to stop the patrol car from following them.
Mr Restell added: “The pursuit continued but the police car was then rammed for a second time.
“Then the driver reversed into the police car for a third time and the defendant was seen bracing himself (as the collision happened) and then he decamped.”
He confirmed Clarke has one conviction dating back to 2013 and he was given an interim driving ban in February.”
Hannah Mirza, defending, said her client had experienced a troubled upbringing, including an abusive, alcoholic father. He is now a full-time carer for his mother, who has dementia.
She added: “He drank more alcohol than he’s used to, and his co-defendant had stopped to give him a lift home.
“He got in the van against his better judgement, and he tried to get out, but it was central locking. He did make the decision to get into the van, it was down to his alcohol consumption.
“After the final impact, he got out and the police caught up with him. He’s 36 and (told me) he’s too old for this type of trouble.
“He looks after his mum as other family members have health issues and it was an isolated offence, he no longer drinks regularly and he wishes he could relive the day.
“If you think it passes the custody threshold, can I suggest the term is suspended.”
The driver has already been convicted of stealing the van and damaging the vehicles. He awaits sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court.
Magistrates told Clarke they had taken into account his personal circumstances and the mitigation presented.
He was handed a 12-month community order, which includes 240 hours of unpaid work. Clarke was also fined £120, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and £85 in court costs.
In addition, he received a 12-month driving ban, backdated to start from the date of his interim disqualification in February.
