Croydon joyrider jailed after crashing into police car
By Brian Haran
brian.haran@essnmedia.co.uk
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A joyrider who stole a car during a burglary and then crashed it into the back of a police car has been jailed for 33 months.
Mervin Drake, 22, of High Street, Croydon, broke into a house in Horley, in Surrey, in June and stole items including a digital camera and a bottle of champagne before using the occupants' VW Golf as his getaway car.
Soon afterwards police saw the car in Caterham and a high-speed chase followed at more than 80mph before Drake smashed into an unmarked police vehicle in Clareville Road, prosecutor Richard Germain told Guildford Crown Court.
Drake admitted burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified.
Graham Smith, defending, said: "He realises he is someone who really needs to grow up."
Judge Christopher Critchlow sentenced him to four months imprisonment for driving whilst disqualified, 12 months for the dangerous driving, 16 for aggravated vehicle taking and 33 months for the burglary, all to run concurrently.
Drake was also disqualified from driving for three years.
5 Comments
by Mr.Angry, Purley
Thursday, December 17 2009, 4:03PM
“At last the punishment is made to fit the crime,it doesnt matter what car he hit he could have killed a child strapped in the back of any car.”
by Mike, Old Coulsdon
Wednesday, December 16 2009, 5:11PM
“emma have to agree !”
by Emma Roid, Pratts Bottom
Tuesday, December 15 2009, 9:09PM
“This was a bad lad but did he get a bum deal?
Would it have been the same term if he had hit an ordinary motorist.”
by christopher, biggin hill
Tuesday, December 15 2009, 4:41PM
“at least the heap of crap will be banged up this christmas.”
by auto, Croydon
Tuesday, December 15 2009, 10:43AM
“65 months total sentence.
He serves '33 months' - with remission of 16 for good conduct - inside about 17 months.
6 months on remand; so he'll be out next Christmas.
And a three year driving ban.
That will stop him.
Err - or not. . . . .
4 months for driving whilst disqualified, it says.
This person needs to be made to address his conduct; imprisoning him, with no help, will protect the public, but only until he is let out.
Why is the re-offending rate so high?”