[A] dangerous driver who smashed into a traffic car during a 40-minute police pursuit has been jailed.
Martin Jobes, 47, was wanted by police in connection with outstanding offences when he was spotted in an Audi A4 at a petrol station in North Tyneside.
Traffic officers in the area began to follow him at around 9.30pm on March 3 and put on their blue lights to signal for him to stop.
But Jobes refused and began to speed up as he drove through busy estates in the Annitsford area to start a 40-minute police chase over ten miles.
The dangerous driver made his way on to the A19 and at this point police decided to perform a ‘box manoeuvre’ to bring him to a halt.
Jobes’ Audi A4 was surrounded by two police cars but he still refused to stop and instead smashed in to one of the vehicles.
The car smashed into the central reservation and came to a halt – later being written off by mechanics.
Jobes continued to flee police and reached speeds of up to 120mph before eventually abandoning his vehicle near to Stannington in Northumberland.
He was arrested by police after a short foot-chase and later charged with dangerous driving and having no insurance.
Jobes, of Howlett Hall Road, Scotswood, admitted the offences and on Thursday (12/7) he was jailed for 18 months at Newcastle Crown Court.
Following the case, Northumbria Police released dashboard footage of the moment a patrol car was rammed.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Chris Halliday, said that the actions of Jobes could have easily resulted in a fatality.
He said: “This was incredibly reckless driving that could easily have resulted in somebody being killed.
“Not only did he endanger the life of the traffic officers but he drove at high speeds, on the wrong side of the road and often through busy residential areas.
“He was not concerned about anybody but himself and I am glad that he has now been put behind bars.
“I am just thankful that this pursuit concluded safely and that nobody lost their life through the reckless behaviour of this defendant.
“Northumbria is a safer place with Martin Jobes off the street and behind bars.”
Jobes, who has 33 previous convictions including numerous for driving while disqualified, was also handed a driving ban by the judge.
