A man has today been jailed for 14 months after admitting dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drugs after a 37-mile police pursuit with a dumper truck through Norfolk and into Suffolk last year.

Wisbech Standard: Dumper truckDumper truck (Image: Archant)

40-year-old Nicholas Churchill, of Mounts Pit Lane, Brandon, appeared at Norwich Crown Court this morning.

He also pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking without consent and criminal damage at an earlier hearing last month.

Three police cars were damaged during the incident, which happened on Monday 20 July 2014 after police received reports of a truck being driven dangerously in Cringleford.

Officers, assisted by the NPAS (National Police Air Service) helicopter, located the 30-tonne dumper truck at the Thickthorn roundabout and the pursuit continued on the A11, A134 and eventually came to a halt in Brandon at around 2.30pm.

Wisbech Standard: Nicholas ChurchillNicholas Churchill (Image: Archant)

A man was arrested in connection with the incident and taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

Churchill was later charged with dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking without consent, criminal damage, driving whilst unfit through drugs and possession of Class B (amphetamines).

During the incident three police cars were damaged; a Ford Focus and Volvo were written off while a BMW X5 suffered minor damage and could be repaired.

The cost of the damage was estimated to be more than £28,000.

Churchill was also banned from driving for two years.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Andy Vinsen, from Norwich CID welcomed the sentence.

He said: “Churchill got into the vehicle after an argument with his employers knowing he was unfit to drive and under the influence of drugs.

“It’s a miracle no one was injured when the vehicle was driven on main roads through heavy traffic, which could have easily led to an innocent member of the public being hurt.

“During the pursuit, Churchill purposefully rammed into three police cars. Thankfully, no officers were in the cars at the point of impact, but this could have ended very differently.

“I am pleased that Churchill has been given a custodial sentence, which demonstrates that this is a serious matter and the courts will not tolerate such despicable behaviour.”

(Video provided courtesy of Norfolk Constabulary)