Dangerous driver to spend 12 months behind bars

A man has been handed a 12 month prison sentence and been disqualified from driving for two and a half years after pleading guilty to a multitude of offences at Guildford Crown Court on Monday, 17 May.

Eddie Chapman, 23, of no fixed address, was arrested on Wednesday, 7 April and was charged with a number of offences, including theft of a motor vehicle and dangerous driving.

In the early hours of 21 March, Chapman was seen on CCTV stealing a car from a driveway on Stoke Road, Guildford, which was later involved in a road traffic collision in Stoughton.

Before crashing the vehicle, witnesses described Chapman as driving very dangerously and overtaking cars at around 60mph in a 30mph area. He then approached a bend at high speed and hit a parked car - causing significant damage to both vehicles.

After fleeing the scene, a wanted appeal was released and thanks to the help of the public, officers located and arrested Chapman. 

At his sentencing, Chapman pleaded guilty to:

• Three counts of driving whilst disqualified
• Fraud by false representation
• Theft of a motor vehicle
•  Dangerous driving
• Two counts of driving with no insurance
• Failure to stop
• Failure to report an accident

After completing his prison sentence and disqualification ban, Chapman will also be required to take an extended driving test before he can use the roads again.

Investigating Officer, PC Emily Collier, said: “This incident could have easily been a lot more serious and we will not tolerate those who steal from others and whose behaviour behind the wheel recklessly endangers the lives of others. We will always deal robustly with offenders and this court result demonstrates that.”