Man, 24, jailed for driving whilst disqualified in the New Forest
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A 24-year-old man from Chandler’s Ford has been further banned from driving after pleading guilty to several offences at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.
During the hearing last Wednesday (15 January), Harrison James Foster, of Thistle Road, admitted to driving whilst disqualified and using a motor vehicle on a road / public place without third party insurance.
He was sentenced to six months behind bars and disqualified from driving for a further 32 months.
The sentencing follows incidents on Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh on Friday 6 December and Bourne Road, Bartley on Tuesday 14 January.
On both occasions, Foster was driving a vehicle whilst already disqualified. During the December incident, he was caught driving an Audi S5, which was subsequently seized.
While the investigation was ongoing in relation to that offence, Foster was then caught driving once more, this time in the New Forest area.
After attempting to evade capture from the high street in Lyndhurst, officers successfully used the hollow spike tyre deflation system (HoSTyDS) to bring Foster and his vehicle to a halt.
Investigating the offences, PC Jim Hordle, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “I am pleased to see justice served here. Foster clearly felt the law didn’t apply to him and that he could continue driving despite being disqualified.
“This sentencing has proven that he was wrong. He has now been placed behind bars, where he will have time to consider his actions and hopefully learn from this experience, safe in the knowledge that we will bring him before the courts again if he continues to ignore and break the law.
“This case should also serve as a stark reminder to others out there who think they can drive whilst disqualified and without any insurance. You can’t, and we will work tirelessly to catch up with and prosecute anyone who thinks they can.
“If you have any information about anyone driving illegally, please continue to share this with us by calling 101, or by reporting online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website, below.
“The more information we receive, the more action we can take against offenders, ensuring the roads are safer for everyone.”