Dangerous driver apologised to Sheffield cops for being drunk after crashing car

A dangerous driver who crashed his car while fleeing from police in Sheffield climbed out of the wreck and told officers: "Sorry I'm drunk," a court has heard.
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Jordan Kent pulled in front of a police car in Sheffield city centre, causing it to brake sharply, on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, said prosecutor Joseph Bell.

The officers followed his grey Vauxhall Astra on to Corporation Street and activated their lights for him to pull over, but instead Kent accelerated.

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He drove through a red light and was pursued on to the A61 where he crossed two lanes, travelling at just under 50mph in a 30mph zone

Courts.Courts.
Courts.

He crossed two more red lights on Rock Street and reached speeds of 60mph before finally losing control as he turned a corner, hitting a lamppost, a fence and a garden wall.

Smoke was pouring from the Astra and the airbag had deployed, Mr Bell said. When Kent got out of the car he said: "Sorry, I'm drunk," but refused a breath test.

He was taken to hospital where a blood test confirmed he was driving with excess alcohol. He told officers he "didn't remember the incident but guessed he was driving."

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After he was shown CCTV footage, Kent said: "I am really glad I hadn't hurt anybody."

The court heard he has two previous convictions for six offences, including criminal damage of a vehicle, in October 2007, and taking a car without the owner's consent, in July 2008.

Jessica Heggie-Kent, mitigating, said: “He had the good sense to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity.”

Kent, 30, of Patmore Road, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Sheffield Magistrates Court, on January 27.

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Recorder Paul Kirtley told him: "I probably don’t need to tell you how utterly stupid and dangerous you have been. You are old enough to know better."

He said Kent should have more consideration for the people who had written letters of support on his behalf for his court appearance.

The judge imposed a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work.

Kent was banned from driving for 18 months and will have to undertake the extended re-test before he gets behind the wheel of a car again.

Read the latest cases from Sheffield Crown Court here.

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