A prolific banned driver has been branded a “risk to other road users” after ramming a police car in a hotel car park in a desperate bid to escape arrest.
Christopher O’Neill, 36, was already serving time for burglary when he admitted his latest offences – his fifth conviction for driving while disqualified.
Margate Magistrates’ Court heard that at just after 8am on December 6 last year, police spotted O’Neill behind the wheel of a grey BMW 320D in Radnor Bridge Road, Folkestone.
He drove away, but was eventually cornered in the car park of The Grand Burstin Hotel.
Instead of surrendering, O’Neill drove at their Ford Mondeo patrol car.
Prosecutor Julie Farbrace explained “The BMW then came towards them and shunted the police vehicle in an attempt to get past and escape.
“[The defendant] then ran past officers with an aim of escaping, but the officer managed to grab his arm, but was pushed by O’Neill.”
O’Neill was arrested at the scene and the car was searched, with the BMW’s original number plates found in the boot.
Checks confirmed O’Neill was banned from driving and had no insurance. At the police station he refused to provide a blood sample for analysis.
O’Neill, of no fixed address, admitted driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to provide a specimen of blood, criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker when he appeared via video link from HMP Millsike in Yorkshire on February 17.
The court heard that six days after his arrest, he had been jailed for 11 months for ransacking a bungalow in Nottinghamshire and stealing more than £5,000 worth of jewellery.
He had also previously received a 20-month sentence in August 2023 for dangerous driving, using false plates, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance following a police pursuit.
Roger Davies, defending, said his client had lost some family members, including his sister and father, at about the time he committed the offences.
He added: He was desperate to see his family and got the car in Manchester – he expected not to see them again.
“He wasn’t thinking clearly at the time.”
Chairman of the bench Martin Alderman highlighted O’Neill’s record.
He said: “He’s got five convictions for driving while disqualified, he’s a risk to other road users – does he have remorse?
“He showed no consideration to the police officer.”
Addressing O’Neill directly, he added: “You are absolutely a danger to other road users – you have five driving while disqualified convictions.
“You need to mature a little, as you are a risk to others. You have no insurance and are unable to compensate [others if there was a crash].
“We heard you lost family members. Well, that would pale into insignificance if you killed someone. There is no excuse.”
The bench jailed O’Neill for 18 weeks for driving while disqualified and failing to provide a specimen. The sentence will run concurrently with his current term for burglary.
He was also fined £120 for having no insurance, £180 for assaulting a police officer, and ordered to pay £500 compensation to Kent Police for damage to the patrol car.
Magistrates also banned him from driving for five years and 63 days.
