A driver who repeatedly rammed a police vehicle before setting light to his car and then reporting it as stolen has been jailed.
On Friday 5 November 2021, Steven Luckie failed to stop for a marked police vehicle on the A259 in New Romney after he came to their attention due to the manner in which he was driving.
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Luckie made numerous attempts to prevent officers pursuing him, switching off his headlights and then repeatedly reversing into the police vehicle when he did come to a stop in Sussex Road.
After officers approached the vehicle, he again drove away at speed. Officers pursued the vehicle through country lanes in Ashford Road where he again stopped several times and then rammed into the police vehicle. For their own safety the officers ended the pursuit.
The car was later found abandoned and burnt in Westwell Lane, Ashford.
Three days later, Luckie called police to report his car had been stolen on 5 November 2021, the day of the pursuit, after he had left his car and gone away for the weekend.
The 50-year-old from Cradlebridge Drive, Willesborough was arrested and charged with dangerous driving, criminal damage and perverting the course of justice.
On Thursday 14 July 2022 he was found guilty by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court and sentenced to 20 months in prison, followed by a three-year disqualification from driving.
PC Gary Burgess from Folkestone Community Policing Team said: ‘Luckie put so many lives at risk that evening, not only ours, but his and other road users.
‘He has also shown a total disregard for the law, trying to cover up his crimes so I am pleased he has now been sentenced and is no longer a risk to anyone else.’