Jail for banned driver who smashed in to car during 14-mile high-speed pursuit

DASH-CAM footage captured the moment a banned driver smashed in to a fellow motorist and narrowly avoided more collisions as he tried to flee police during a 14-mile high-speed chase.

Amritpal Thandi was today jailed for 18 months after he was convicted of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and drug possession, following the incident on July 21 last year.

Cardiff Crown Court heard 31-year-old Thandi caught the attention of a traffic officer as he dangerously overtook a car at Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff.

Despite the traffic officer illuminating the motorcycle’s blue lights and siren, Thandi continued to pick up speed, hitting speeds of up to 90mph through the village of St Nicholas, where he ploughed in to the side of a Volkswagen Fox as he sped through the middle of the carriageway.

Failing to stop after the collision, he continued to speed along the A48, crashing through traffic cones in Cowbridge. Despite a second traffic vehicle joining the pursuit near Pentre Meyrig, Thandi continued to try and evade capture, descending Crack Hill at 120mph.
He then narrowly avoided a second collision on Waterton roundabout, before undertaking a lorry, and driving through a red light.

After clipping the central reservation and puncturing two tyres, he then continued to travel at speed through further red lights as he struggled to maintain control of the vehicle.

Despite officers forcing a stop on Cowbridge Road, Thandi tried to further evade arrest by fleeing on foot.

He was found cowering behind a wall on Coychurch Road, where he was subsequently arrested.

Thandi, from Netherton, Dudley, pleaded guilty to all charges during an earlier hearing at Cardiff Magistrates Court. During sentencing today, Thandi was also given a further disqualification for two years – which will begin once he’s served his sentence – and told he will be required to take an extended retest before he can get behind the wheel.

PC Liam Buttle, officer in the case, said: “Amritpal Thandi showed a complete disregard for the safety of others on July 21. Not only was he already banned from the roads, he drove in a completely careless and dangerous manner, contravening numerous traffic laws.
“It is only sheer good fortune that no-one was seriously hurt that day; the occupants of the car he collided with were left extremely shaken by the incident and the thought of what could have happened to them. Several other motorists will have also undoubtedly been left shocked at the near-misses they encountered.

“I’m pleased that the courts recognised the gravity of Thandi’s offending, and I hope that his time in prison affords him with the opportunity to reflect on his utter selfishness and reckless actions.”