A DANGEROUS driver who led police on a high-speed chase around Bicester has been jailed.

During the chase Darren Russell drove on the wrong side of the road and through red lights, forcing members of the public to move out of the way. 

The 34-year-old, of Murdock Road, Bicester, pleaded guilty to one count each of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance in a hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on July 13.

He appeared for sentencing at Oxford Crown Court on July 16.

On the night of Saturday July 11, Russell was driving a BMW 318 and failed to stop for police in Bicester.

Numerous officers from the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing, Firearms and Dog Units, supported by the National Police Air Service (NPAS) were involved in a pursuit at about 9pm.

The ensuing pursuit lasted for about 19 minutes where Russell drove at excess speed in built-up residential areas, jumping red lights and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Members of the public had to take evasive action from Russell’s driving, and the pursuit was successfully ended by the deployment of a stop-stick which deflated the vehicle’s tyres.

Russell was charged on July 13 and admitted the offences.

Senior investigating officer Sergeant Ed Crofts, based at Three Mile Cross, said: “Darren Russell has a long history of offending and was on a suspended prison sentence at the time for theft.

“He was prepared to put the public at risk to avoid being detained by police and to avoid going back to prison.

“He was already disqualified from driving, so should not even have been behind the wheel.

“Officers from our Joint Operations Unit have successfully managed to end the pursuit safely and Russell now faces a significant term in prison as a result of his dangerous actions.”

Russell was jailed for one year and two months’ prison for the driving offences and an additional one year and two months’ prison for breach of a suspended sentence which was imposed at Southampton Crown Court on March 6 2020 for theft.

The sentences will run consecutively, totalling a sentence of two years and four months’ imprisonment.

As well as the custodial sentence, Russell was further disqualified from driving until he passes an extended driving test and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £190.