A shocking incident occurred in Cardiff when a drink-driving father led police on a high-speed chase through the city streets. The pursuit started in the early hours of August 25th after an officer on Leckwith Road spotted Karl Joseph Bullen driving a stolen Audi A4. Dashcam footage from the police showed Bullen racing down Ninian Park Road at 85mph, well above the speed limit, while disregarding the police car’s emergency lights. During the two-minute pursuit through Riverside, Grangetown, and Canton, Bullen drove recklessly, even going on the wrong side of the road and running red lights. The chase finally came to an end when he crashed into a building and lamppost on Delta Street.
Prosecutor Charles Archer revealed that Bullen narrowly missed colliding with members of the public on Clare Road. Despite trying to flee, Bullen was eventually apprehended in a nearby garden by the police. He displayed signs of intoxication, with slurred speech and the smell of alcohol on him. A breath test showed his alcohol level at 66mcg per 100ml of breath, significantly higher than the legal limit of 35mcg. Bullen, residing on Illtyd Road in Ely, pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, driving under the influence, and driving without a license or insurance. It was noted that at the time of the incident, he was on parole after serving a 10-week sentence for theft offences.
In court, Bullen’s defence attorney, Will Bebb, highlighted his client’s remorse over the incident, attributing his actions to panic. Bebb explained that Bullen’s troubled upbringing resulted in a life of crime from a young age. Bullen, a father of three children aged four to 14, now faces imprisonment, preventing him from supporting his unwell youngest child due to his own actions. The judge, Recorder Jonathan Rees KC, condemned Bullen’s extensive criminal history. Refusal to engage with probation services for a pre-sentence report further impacted the severity of the sentence imposed. Bullen received a 14-month jail term, a driving ban lasting three years and seven months, and a victim services surcharge of £187.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drink-driving and the consequences it can have on individuals and their families. It underscores the importance of road safety and responsible driving practices to protect both motorists and pedestrians. Such reckless behaviour not only endangers lives but also has far-reaching implications for the perpetrators involved. The judiciary’s firm stance on such cases aims to deter others from engaging in similarly hazardous actions, promoting safer streets for all residents and visitors in Cardiff and beyond.