Police release picture of a dangerous Doncaster driver who was jailed after a high-speed chase

Sheffield Crown Court heard on January 21 how Tony Ellison, aged 39, of Lothian Road, at Intake, Doncaster, fled in a Ford Transit van from police after they suspected his vehicle had false regsitration plates.

James Baird, prosecuting, said Ellison was seen driving in a Ford Transit with suspected false registration plates at 4.30pm, on April 4, and as police attempted to stop him at a filling station he drove off at speed.

Mr Baird said Ellison drove over a grassed pedestrian area, swerved across the road and drove through red lights during a 15 minute pursuit in Doncaster.

Judge Michael Slater told Ellison: “The consequences of your driving that day could have been catastrophic both to yourself and to other road-users and pedestrians.”

Ellison travelled along the A18 Leger Way, according to Mr Baird, and he drove over a grass verge and on to a pavement on Lonsdale Avenue.

Mr Baird said Ellison reached 60mph and drove on the wrong side of the road and mounted the verge again before returning to Lonsdale Avenue.

As Eliison went on Abercorn Road he passed a woman with a pram unloading her vehicle, according to Mr Baird, before he turned back to Lonsdale Avenue where he drove on the verge again.

Mr Baird said Ellison damaged two police vehicles and other parked cars as he was stopped and after running away he was caught scaling a garden fence.

Ellison, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence and without insurance. He had also breached a suspended prison sentence which had been imposed for shoplifting.

Cheryl Dudley, defending, said Ellison had enjoyed some stability with drug treatment and he had been doing gardening work which is why he borrowed the van.

Judge Michael Slater told Ellison: “You were fortunate that you did not encounter more vehicles but you clearly frightened – significantly – a lady who was at the boot of her car with a pram.”

He sentenced Ellison to 18 months of custody and banned him from driving for 12 months upon his release.

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