A dramatic police chase in Newport caught on camera revealed a Volkswagen Golf driver’s desperate attempts to flee from officers. The driver, identified as 29-year-old Justin Nichols, resorted to mounting a kerb and driving on the pavement in a bid to evade the police, as captured in the chase footage. The sequence of events unfolded on August 13, as Nichols ignored a police signal to stop and instead accelerated through Newport at speeds of up to 50mph along Christchurch Road. During the pursuit, Nichols engaged in dangerous manoeuvres, including driving “nose to nose” with a van coming from the opposite direction and mounting the pavement to overtake the vehicle.
Despite a five-minute chase, officers temporarily lost sight of Nichols, but he was eventually apprehended on foot on Orchard Street. Upon his arrest, Nichols was noted to have a strong scent of cannabis on him. Subsequently taken to Newport police station, Nichols declined to provide a specimen for testing and refused to cooperate with questioning, further complicating the situation. Nichols, who is of no fixed abode, later admitted to multiple charges, including driving without due care, failing to stop, possession of cannabis, driving while disqualified, and failing to provide a specimen.
During the sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that Nichols had a significant history of motoring offences, with 16 prior convictions, including dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and drug driving. In her mitigation plea, defence barrister Alice Sykes highlighted Nichols’s challenging circumstances, citing his periods of homelessness and struggles with substance abuse, which began at a young age and intensified following his father’s passing. Despite these factors, Judge Timothy Petts handed Nichols a 12-month prison sentence and a seven-year driving ban, noting his repeated disregard for judicial instructions regarding driving laws and safety.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and attempts to evade the authorities. Nichols’s actions not only endangered his own life but also posed a threat to pedestrians and other road users during the pursuit. The case underscores the importance of upholding traffic regulations and the consequences of engaging in unlawful driving behaviours. As Nichols begins his sentence and driving ban, it is hoped that this experience will serve as a deterrent against future reckless actions on the road.