Video captures drunk driver nearly three times over limit in dangerous pursuit in South Yorkshire

A drunk driver who told South Yorkshire Police officers to “f*** off” before speeding away and leading them on a dangerous pursuit has been banned from driving.

Officers carrying out proactive vehicle stops approached a white Ford Transit van in Doncaster city centre at around 5am on March 29, 2024.

Following a spate of van thefts in the area, the officers wanted to check the vehicle’s documents, however, when they approached the driver, 32-year-old Jake Horne told them to “f*** off”.

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Horne then led the officers on a dangerous chase, where he went the wrong way down one-way streets, drove on the wrong side of the road, broke the speed limit and drove through red lights.

Eventually, Horne entered a cul-de-sac and with nowhere to go, he was arrested. At the scene, he admitted he had been “drinking ale” and he failed a roadside breath test, blowing 98. The legal limit is 35.

Further checks revealed he had no insurance and no licence to drive the Ford Transit van.

Acting Chief Inspector James Bennett said: "Proactive patrols and vehicle stops form an important part of response officers' duties and it was great aptitude and teamwork that led to Horne's arrest.

"Our officers remained calm and composed in pursuing Horne and bringing him to a stop. Had he continued to drive around without police intervention, it doesn't bear thinking about the damage and harm he could have caused given the manner of his driving.”

Horne, of Church Balk in Edenthorpe, Doncaster, was later charged with driving while over the prescribed limit of alcohol, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and dangerous driving. He appeared before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, where he was given a 12-month community order, requiring him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and banned from holding or obtaining a driving licence for two years.