It was then that a van stolen from Manchester was brought to a dramatic halt by police in North Wales.
The police had followed the van in a chase on the A55 before a team of police officers waiting could bring it to a stop.
Officials at Llandegai roundabout near Bangor, Gwynedd threw a line of stingers in front of the white transit van – nearly 160 miles from where it was stolen.
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The van hit the side of a truck when it suddenly stopped before police officers pulled the driver to the ground, reports North Wales Live.
He was taken into police custody, where he was later charged and tried the next day.
Police followed the van along the A55 in North Wales
(Image: North Wales Police)
Robert Phillips, now a permanent resident, appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court on July 23, pleading guilty of dangerous driving, driving with disqualification, not stopping and driving without insurance.
The 42-year-old was sentenced to 10 months in prison and banned from driving for 41 months – until an advanced test is passed.
PC Daniel Edwards of the North Wales Police Road Police Unit said: “Driving a car is a privilege, not a right.
“This incident could easily have resulted in someone being seriously injured; luckily nobody was in this case. “
On Monday June 21, just before 9 a.m., the North Wales Police (NWP) control room was notified that a transit van with false license plates had entered the area via the A55.
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The van was stolen from the Manchester area the same day.
The driver was wanted by other forces for other crimes – and was also on a recall campaign in prison.
The officers caught up with the van near Penmaenmawr as it drove west.
It continued on the A55 past Llanfairfechan and in the direction of exit 11 at Llandegai.
At that point, the NWP Roads Policing Unit forced it up a driveway and towards the roundabout where a stinger had been used by the NWP Intercept Team.
An interception team uses a stinger device to bring the van to a stop
(Image: North Wales Police)
The device works by puncturing one or more tires of an oncoming vehicle.
PC Edwards said: “Drivers who do not have a license and are not insured pose a significant risk to other road users.
“Phillips clearly believed that he was above the law and that he could get away with driving while disqualified and uninsured.
“He was very wrong and is now behind bars facing the consequences of his foolish deeds.”
Greater Manchester Police are still investigating the theft of the van.
The investigation continues, said PC Edwards.
He added: “The Highway Code applies to everyone. They not only protect you, but also other drivers.
“We hope this sends a clear message to people who constantly break car laws that they face imprisonment, not just a fine.”
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