Webb hit speeds of 60mph while travelling in a 30mph zone
Webb overtook the police vehicle and led them on a chase in heavy rain(Image: Nottinghamshire Police)
A Nottinghamshire van driver angrily beeped his horn and flashed his lights behind a car – only to find out it was being driven by police.
During his road rage, Mattias Webb approached the unmarked police vehicle and tailgated it shortly before 11pm on January 4 last year, prompting officers to activate the hidden emergency lights.
Rather than stop, the 25-year-old overtook the police vehicle and led them on a chase in heavy rain through Worksop and Gateford.
Nottingham Crown Court heard the pursuit lasted 2.5 miles, starting in Shireoaks Road and finishing in Boscombe Road.
During the chase, Webb hit speeds of around 60mph in a 30mph zone before heading for his home address, where he was arrested.
He initially denied the charges but changed his plea to guilty on January 28.
At his sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 25, the court heard Webb turned his lights off during the pursuit.
The court also heard he passed hundreds of residential properties and at one point he drove straight through a red traffic light, putting other road users at risk.
Webb, of Boscombe Road, Gateford, was handed a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and banned from driving for three years.
He must also complete 120 hours unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
PC Dave Stafford, of the Roads Policing team, said: “Webb attempted to evade responsibility for his actions running into a house and then claiming he hadn’t been driving.
“Unfortunately for him, he was captured fleeing the van on our police dash cam.
“His driving that night was incredibly dangerous, he thought he was behind a member of the public and had no regard to the harm he would have undoubtedly caused, luckily that wasn’t the case, we will not tolerate people who put the lives of other road users at risk.
“I am pleased he has been dealt with by the courts and hope his punishment sends a message to anyone who is tempted to behave in similar fashion on our roads.”