Man jailed for ramming police during stolen car pursuit

An individual has been sentenced to prison after stealing a car and intentionally colliding with police vehicles, forcing them off the road, during a pursuit. Darrell Duddin acquired the keys to his employer’s pick-up truck in October. He subsequently drove the vehicle across four counties, traveling from Reading in the direction of Lincolnshire, reaching speeds exceeding 115mph (185km/h), according to Lincolnshire Police. The pursuit persisted even after a stinger device punctured one of the truck’s tires, causing sparks to emanate from the vehicle, the police force further stated. The chase concluded when law enforcement officers, aided by a police helicopter, strategically surrounded and confined his vehicle on the A46 close to Swinderby, located in Lincolnshire. The 29-year-old, residing at Beech Court in Lincoln, received an 18-month prison sentence at Lincoln Crown Court. This followed his guilty pleas to charges of dangerous driving and operating a vehicle while disqualified. He additionally confessed to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without valid insurance, and carrying a knife in a public area. Inspector Jason Baxter, a member of the Lincolnshire Roads Policing Team, commented: “I am very relieved that no one was seriously injured through Duddin’s complete disregard for safety. He drove dangerously at excessive speeds, intentionally ramming two police cars and put road users and officers at risk.”