A disqualified driver who drove a van dangerously to evade officers in Wickford, was jailed less than 24 hours after being arrested

Officers from Essex Police's Road Crime Team saw a white Transit van travelling along Golden Jubilee Way in Wickford on the morning of Sunday, 4 February.

Their suspicions were aroused when a check on the registration indicated an owner older than the man who was driving.

As they signalled for the driver to stop, the Transit overtook them and headed towards Nevendon Road, weaving dangerously through the traffic before driving on the wrong side of the road, into oncoming traffic.

The driver made his way down the A127 and decamped after parking on a grass verge. 

Undeterred, one of the Road Crime Team officers who had followed the van, ran after him, and detained him at the rear of a petrol garage.

Enquiries at the scene discovered the vehicle was on false plates and had been reported stolen from Harlow in December 2023.

Furthermore, the driver was a disqualified driver.

Working quickly with the Crown Prosecution Service, Adam Bibby of St. James Gardens, Westcliff-on-Sea, was charged later that same evening with several offences and remanded in custody overnight to appear at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates' Court the following day on Monday 5 February.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to all charges at his first court appearance, including driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving and no insurance.

Adam Bibby was jailed for 26 weeks and disqualified from driving for two years for the charges of driving whilst disqualified and dangerous driving.

PC Paul Simmons said: "Due to some quick thinking by the team that something was amiss, Adam Bibby was quickly arrested, and swift justice has been achieved.

"In just 24 hours he was arrested and imprisoned after he admitted his guilt.

"He tried to evade arrest by going on a dangerous drive through the Wickford area, placing himself and other road users at risk, but he didn't consider how his dangerous driving affected others."

The owner of the stolen van will be reunited with their vehicle, thanks to the Road Crime Team officers' diligence.

No separate penalty was issued for a third charge of driving without insurance.