PROSECUTORS have agreed to bring a more serious charge against a dangerous driver who narrowly missed hitting a police officer.
Uninsured motorist Robert Phillips, a provisional driving licence holder, was the only occupant of his mother’s Vauxhall Vectra, said to have been taken without her consent, early on March 11.
Durham Crown Court was previously told during a chase on roads in the Shildon and Redworth area Phillips skirted to the side of an officer laying a ‘stinger’ tyre-deflating device, narrowly missing him, before taking a roundabout the wrong way.
The chase ended back in Shildon, where he abandoned the car and was eventually detained with use of pepper spray, having tried to hide in undergrowth.
Phillips, 21, of Beech Terrace, Eldon Lane, previously admitted dangerous driving and without insurance or a full licence.
Judge Christopher Prince had questioned if a further charge could be brought if it was thought Phillips intended harming the officer who was laying the ‘stinger’.
But a statement from that officer stated the defendant did appear to slow approaching the junction and swerve round him.
Judge Prince then asked the Crown to consider adding a charge of aggravated vehicle taking, as the car was driven without the consent of the owner, Phillips’ mother.
That charge will now be put at a later hearing when sent from the magistrates’ court.
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