Police release picture of a Sheffield driver who was jailed after he was involved in a high-speed police pursuit

Sheffield Crown Court heard on September 1 how Ashley Biney, aged 32, of Grindlow Close, Heeley, Sheffield, was seen by police on Arbourthone Road with part of a registration plate missing on a VW Caddy van before he accelerated away from a police vehicle.

Brian Outhwaite, prosecuting, said: "The defendant’s vehicle was just coming around the corner and the police car facing it turned around and began the pursuit.”

During a previous hearing, Mr Outhwaite said Biney drove to the junction of Gleadless Road and Daresbury Road and went through a red traffic light and drove to Gleadless Road reaching speeds of 70mph.

Biney drove onto Queen’s Road and Shoreham Street at 65mph and went through another red light and drove on the wrong side of the road, according to Mr Outhwaite.

Mr Outhwaite added Biney drove on the wrong side of the road at Shoreham Street and St Mary’s Road along a dual carriageway.

Police temporarily lost Biney, according to Mr Outhwaite, but attempts were later made to stop him as he drove around two police vehicles before turning into Granville Road where he stopped.

Biney told police the van belonged to an uncle and he said he had been drinking because of issues at home and when he saw the police he “put his foot down”.

The defendant, who has previous convictions for driving offences, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence and insurance and to exceeding the alcohol drink-drive limit after the pursuit at about 11pm, on January 12.

Robert Sandford, defending, said scaffolder Biney’s grandmother was terminally-ill and died three days after the incident and his grandfather died last summer and Biney had been very close to them after an unsettled up-bringing.

Mr Sandford added no one was injured and no damage was caused and Biney is genuinely remorseful.

Recorder Richard Woolfall told Biney: “This episode of pro-longed and very dangerous driving can only be dealt with by way of a custodial sentence.”

Biney was sentenced to 12 months of custody and disqualified from driving for four years.