At one point, he stopped to let a passenger out and then continued his escape attempt
Matthew Harding was jailed at Hull Crown Court(Image: Humberside Police)
A panicking banned driver hurtled off at speed in a Land Rover and led police on a highly dangerous 12-minute chase through the streets in the early hours of the morning after failing to pull in for checks. Serial criminal Matthew Harding swerved from side to side and veered into the path of the police before a tyre-bursting “stinger” was brought in to stop him in his tracks, Hull Crown Court heard.
Harding, 36, of Devon Street, off Hessle Road, west Hull, but in custody on remand, admitted dangerous driving and failing to provide a breath specimen on July 17. He also admitted using racially aggravated threatening words or behaviour on July 31.
James O’Connor, prosecuting, said that police in Spring Bank, Hull, spotted a white car being followed by a Land Rover Freelander, driven by Harding, at about 12.30am. The Land Rover reached speeds of 60mph in residential areas with a 30mph limit.
Police activated their flashing blue lights and sirens. The vehicle did not come to a full stop and, as a police officer prepared to get out of his car, it sped off towards Hessle Road. In Hessle, it stopped to let a passenger out before reversing out of the road and continuing to evade the police.
The Land Rover headed towards Boothferry Road and swerved dangerously from side to side, crossing the boundary between lanes. It overtook a taxi and swerved into the path of the police vehicle, causing the driver to take evasive action.
The police used a stinger device to bring the chase to an end. Harding was found to be a banned driver. He did not provide a breath sample.
The second incident happened after police went to a house after a report by a member of the public. Harding was arrested and was put in the back of a police vehicle. “He became quite agitated and was kicking out while he was inside the car,” said Mr O’Connor.
A police officer intervened and made a “distracting strike” on Harding, who shouted a racial insult at him. Harding had convictions for 40 previous offences, including wounding in July 2021 and others of assault, assaulting an emergency worker, driving while disqualified and failing to provide a breath specimen.
Michael Masson, mitigating, said that Harding panicked during the dangerous driving episode because he knew that he was disqualified. “That’s what led to this chase,” said Mr Masson.
“Whatever the purpose of the journey, he knows that he should not have been taking it due to being disqualified. The defendant recognises that what he did was simple stupidity.
“He wants first and foremost to apologise to the officer concerned for his racially aggravated behaviour. He is ashamed of himself thoroughly. He has recognition of the seriousness of that offence.
“He feels his behaviour and language towards the officer was completely unacceptable. He is deeply ashamed and offers his sincere apologies.”
Harding had been in custody since August 1. He had a child, with another one due to be born shortly. “He is keen to turn over a new leaf,” said Mr Masson.
Judge Alexander Menary said that Harding’s apparent explanation for driving off from the police was that he had drunk two pints of beer and his passenger had drugs on him. It was a prolonged course of driving and Harding tied up significant police resources.
Harding was jailed for 15 months and he was banned from driving for three years and seven months. He will have to pass an extended retest before he can drive legally again.
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