He refused to give samples to test for drugs saying: ‘No, I will fail. There is no point in wasting your time’
Jordan Reece pictured outside Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
A drug-taking van driver led police on a lengthy late-night chase and repeatedly tried to shake them off by deliberately reversing into police vehicles or abruptly stopping without warning. Jordan Reece tried to escape by hurtling off at speed and it was only by “sheer luck rather than design that nobody was seriously injured”.
He refused to give samples because he knew that he was “under the influence” and would fail them, Hull Crown Court heard. Reece, 30, admitted dangerous driving, failing to provide a blood specimen and possessing cocaine on June 22.
Kirsten Lowes, prosecuting, said that police received reports of an offence taking place on the railway line at Daw Lane, in the Snaith area, near Goole. It was suspected that a van was being used for the potential theft of copper wire, the court heard.
Police spotted a VW Caddy van, being driven by Reece, at about 10.45pm and followed it on Snaith Road, Goole, towards Pontefract Road, Snaith. They activated their blue flashing lights. Reece continued driving and police made a series of attempts to stop the van, using the blue lights again.
One police officer drove alongside the van to try to get it to pull over but Reece failed to stop. Police positioned themselves in the middle of the road and signalled for the van to stop.
Reece continued and was driving towards a transport building in Goole when the van suddenly stopped. Police had to do an emergency stop to prevent hitting the van. A passenger got out of the van.
Reece reversed the van at speed towards the police vehicle, making contact, before driving off at speed.
Other nearby police joined the pursuit in the area of the A19, near the village of Whitley, off the M62 motorway. The van suddenly stopped again but a police vehicle managed to avoid a collision.
Reece continued towards the village of Womersley and into a cul-de-sac but police were at the exit. He tried to drive straight at a female officer’s car. She tried to reverse to avoid a collision but the van hit the front of the vehicle, knocking off the registration plate and cracking a grille.
Reece was followed on single track road Highfield Lane, Snaith, but he reversed towards a police car, damaging it. “The van then sped off towards the A19,” said Miss Lowes.
A tyre-bursting “stinger” was used on the van at Whitley and Reece was arrested. He failed to provide a saliva sample, saying: “No, I will fail. There is no point in wasting your time.”
At Clough Road police station, Hull, he refused to provide a blood sample, telling police: “I don’t like needles. I will take my 12-month ban.” He was found to have two bags of cocaine.
“It was a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road and disregard the safety of others,” said Miss Lowes.
Reece made no comment to all questions during police interview. He had convictions for nine previous offences, including failing to provide specimens, possessing drugs and failing to stop for police.
Holly Thompson, mitigating, said that Reece pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. “This is a pattern of offending where the defendant goes on to drive, having consumed some form of drugs,” said Miss Thompson.
“He accepts that his behaviour was abhorrent. It’s sheer luck rather than design that nobody was seriously injured by his actions.
“The reason he did not provide a sample is that he knew he would be under the influence. He made a poor and foolish decision to get into a vehicle and get behind the wheel.
“He has never had help for his drug consumption. He wants to make changes sooner rather than later.” Father-of-three Reece still used cannabis. He worked at a vehicle spray painting business.
Reece, of Northgate, Moorends, near Thorne, was given a 15-month suspended prison sentence, 150 hours’ unpaid work, six months’ drug rehabilitation and 10 days’ rehabilitation. He was banned from driving for four years and he must pass an extended retest before he can drive legally again. He was ordered to pay £200 costs.
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