Eastleigh man spared jail for police chase through Southampton

Rafal Jach led police on a “crazy” chase during which he narrowly avoided hitting an officer, a court heard.

Prosecution barrister, John Upton told how armed response units had been called following reports of people seen with a machete and Jach’s black Citroen C4 spotted in the area.

His car was then seen in Derby Road, Eastleigh.

When the 21-year-old, of Cranbury Road, Eastleigh, later stopped at traffic lights one police car parked in front of him, and another blocked him from behind.

Rafal Jach.

However, Jach, reversed his car smashing into the other vehicle and then mounted the pavement.

Mr Upton told that when he swung back into the road, he almost hit an officer who had got out of his patrol car.

In Southampton, Jach made his way down New Road, Kingsway, St Mary’s Street and then Golden Grove, where he reached a dead end.

He then mounted a grass verge and tried to force his car between two wooden bollards but was eventually stopped.

Appearing before Southampton Crown Court, he was charged with dangerous driving and failing to stop for a police officer.

He previously pleaded guilty to the offences which happened on May 5 this year.

Mr Upton described Jach as “lightly convicted” - his record includes possession of cannabis and burglary.

Defending, Chris Gaiger, said that Jach had been “foolish in his actions”.

He mentioned there was minor damage to the police vehicle and that no one had been injured.

Mr Gaiger added that his client “needs to do some growing up”.

Judge Gary Burrell QC said: “This driving could have killed someone including yourself. And it’s really only by chance that was avoided.”

“All of that was just crazy driving for no apparent reason.”

He scolded him saying: “You need to get some common sense go into your brain.”

He was jailed for 15-months, suspended for two years.

Jach must do 150 hours of unpaid work and complete 25 rehabilitation activity days.

He was disqualified for 15 months.