Teenager jailed after hijacking and crashing police car

A teenager who drove a hiijacked police car at speeds of up to 113mph has been jailed.

Dafydd Williams, 19, of Islwyn Road Wattsville, admitted a number of offences, including hitting another car at 64mph, and was jailed for one year and nine months.

The high speed car chase began on St Cenydd Road in Caerphilly on Saturday April 8 when Williams, along with a friend, hurled racial abuse at a garage owner.

Williams then used a steel crowbar to hit the owner and damage vehicles.

The garage owner’s phone was smashed as he was holding it to his ear by Williams. He then struck him in his lower back.

The pair then drove away but were spotted in Bedwas and stopped by Gwent Police officers.

While the man he was with ran off, Williams got behind the wheel of the unattended police car and sped away towards Machen.

“He mounted the pavement close to pedestrians,” said Mr Griffiths. “He accelerated into a built-up area and drove at up to 90mph in a 30mph area, performing a number of dangerous overtaking manoeuvres and contravening road signs.

“He travelled through Machen at 80mph and at one stage reached 113mph in a 30mph area, swerving from side to side.

“At one point the defendant tried to use a bus stop to undertake a red Honda Jazz, but he collided with its rear at 64mph, causing the Honda to travel across the carriageway and collide head-on with a Nissan travelling in the opposite direction.”

The prosecutor who showed Cardiff Crown Court dashcam footage from the speeding police car told the judge that “no words can adequately describe it”.

Williams drove through the narrow lanes of Draethen before crashing the car into a hedge and tried to escape on foot.

Officers caught and arrested him and could smell alcohol on Williams who appeared “very drunk”.

Williams admitted possession of an offensive weapon, racially aggravated assault, racially aggravated criminal damage, taking a police car without authority, dangerous driving, damaging property, and driving while disqualified and unfit through drink with no insurance or licence.

He was on a suspended 16-week jail term for thefts and driving while disqualified at the time of his arrest.

He also had previous convictions for dangerous driving, possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and threats to kill.

A lawyer for Williams said a difficult upbringing and an introduction to drugs and alcohol at an early age were mitigating factors.

Recorder Simon Hughes said it was luck that no one was injured.

He took account of the defendant’s difficult childhood and young age, adding: “I will not pass a sentence which crushes all hope for you.”

He also gave Williams a driving ban of three years and 46 weeks.