Driver jailed after high-speed chase

A DRINK-DRIVER who led police on a high-speed chase through the centre of Bristol and beyond has been jailed.

Lee Monelle was spotted driving erratically on Hengrove Way but fled driving through six red lights to try to escape – twice careering out of control and spinning 360 degrees.

The chase lasted 14 minutes and covered 11 miles including Knowle, Bedminster, Hotwells and the city centre.

Monelle was cornered by a police car but shunted it out of the way before finally coming to a stop in Leinster Avenue, Knowle, when his Citroen Berlingo van hit a kerb.

Monelle, of Headley Park Road, Bishopsworth, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drink-driving. He also pleaded guilty to a theft from a shop after being released on bail.

The 23-year-old was jailed at Bristol Crown Court for a total of 13 months and banned from driving for three years.

Paul Ricketts, prosecuting, said: "It was 3.35am on January 21 this year and the defendant led police on a chase for 14 minutes covering 11 miles.

"It was noted the defendant drove through at least six sets of red lights and drove on the wrong side of the road at least twice. He drove at excessive speed – more than 60mph in 30mph zones and caused other road users to take evasive action on at least two occasions.

"His vehicle lost control and span 360 degrees on two occasions and he rammed a police car causing £3,665 of damage. He was found to have a alcohol reading of 86mg of breath in 100ml of breath – more than twice the legal limit."

Mr Ricketts said Monelle was cornered by a police car on the A37 Wells Road but rammed the car and mounted the pavement to get away.

"What brought the defendant to a stop was hitting the kerb in Leinster Avenue in Knowle," Mr Ricketts said.

He said three days later on January 24 – after being released on bail – Monelle stole six rolls of roofing worth £976 from Keyline Builders' Merchants in Bedminster.

The court heard that at the time of the offences Monelle was on a community order after assaulting a footballer whom he adjudged to have committed a dangerous tackle on him.

George Threlfall, defending, said Monelle had foolishly chosen to drive following an altercation with his girlfriend.

"In the heat of the moment he disregarded good sense and needless to say he was seen by police and panicked," Mr Threlfall told the court.

"He realised the catastrophic situation before him but unfortunately compounded that catastrophe by not pulling over when asked to do so."

Mr Threlfall said Monelle was a gifted floorer and was lucky because his company are happy to hold open his job despite a likely jail sentence and the loss of his licence.

He dismissed Monelle's theft three days later as "so stupid it's almost not credible".

Jailing Monelle, Judge Michael Longman told him: "This was a bad bit of driving that lasted 14 minutes and 11 miles. You had been drinking and you chose to drive. You put other road users at risk because of the way you drove during the pursuit."

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