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A disqualified driver who sped through built-up areas while trying to evade police has been jailed.

Timothy Taylor, 32, of St John’s Terrace, Crosskeys, appeared at Newport Crown Court on Thursday April 3, where he was handed a two-year and eight-month jail sentence.

Driving a red Ford Fiesta, Taylor performed dangerous manoeuvres, including overtaking cars with oncoming traffic approaching, through Caerphilly County Borough in February this year.

His “spree of utterly reckless and dangerous driving” was filmed from above from a National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter, after police officers initially spotted him in the Crosskeys area.

Taylor approached the A467 Abercarn roundabout on the wrong side of the road, before eventually stopping the Fiesta abruptly in a street before running away.

NPAS tracked him to the Tesco supermarket in Risca, where police arrested him outside the store.

Taylor admitted to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance when he appeared for sentencing at Newport Crown Court.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and handling stolen goods.

Taylor was handed a 34-month driving ban, which will come into force following his release from prison.

PC Aimee Rees, of Gwent Police, said: “The NPAS footage of Taylor’s driving is extremely shocking to view, especially when you consider the speeds he reached in built-up areas.

“Taylor was aware he was driving whilst disqualified and his willingness to engage in such risk-taking to try to evade detection is something that caused us great concern.”

PC Rees continued: “His actions on that day could have had tragic consequences given the lack of care for the safety of others and himself.

“It is by sheer luck only that nobody was injured during this spree of utterly reckless and dangerous driving by Taylor.”

PC Rees added: “Bringing the defendant to justice was a team effort and, with overwhelming evidence against him, Taylor had no other option but to plead guilty to the offences he faced in court.”