Police chase Witney driver in Oxford (From Witney Gazette)

Police chase Witney driver in Oxford

2:52pm Monday 20th February 2006 in Witney

A DISQUALIFIED driver from Witney was chased by police through the Barton estate, Oxford, after he failed to stop for officers, Oxford Magistrates' Court heard.

Kevin Good, 20, of Wadards Meadow, Witney, admitted at Oxford Magistrates Court driving while disqualified, failing to stop, and driving with no insurance.

Good had been arrested during an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera operation in Oxford on Monday, February 6.

ANPR cameras scan number plates, checking them against the police national computer and DVLA records, to find out if a car is insured, taxed, and if it is linked to criminal activity.

Gavin Hernandez, prosecuting, said: "At 2.54pm on February 6, Good was driving a Peugeot 205 along North Way, when police indicated for him to stop.

"He accelerated hard along Burchester Avenue. Police followed, and found the car parked in Brome Place.

"He ran away towards Fettiplace Road, and was lost to sight, but located nearby, and arrested.

"The police helicopter was involved."

The court heard Good was disqualified from driving on July 27 last year.

Ruth Draisey, defending, said: "Although Good has a long record of previous convictions, he has no convictions for driving while disqualified.

"This is the only time he has driven since he was banned, and the reason he did was that a friend asked him to repair his car.

"Mr Good used to work in a garage, and his friend asked him if he could get parts for the car, and get it fixed.

"He made the regrettable decision to do that.

"He says he failed to stop because he wasn't sure the police officer was stopping him or waving him to slow down. But I have told him that is no defence to the charge."

The case against Good was adjourned, and he was granted unconditional bail, to appear again on March 23.