Drink driver jailed for 14 months

Matthew Quant, 30, of Crowhurst Crescent, Storrington, was jailed and given a three year driving ban at Hove Trial Centre on Friday.

Police said they attempted to stop him on the A24 at Buckbarn, near Horsham, on 21 December, after they suspected him of driving whilst over the limit.

Instead of pulling over, he dangerously drove a BMW saloon to get away from the police vehicle.

Officers followed Quant, from Crowhurst Crescent in Storrington, in a controlled pursuit until it was brought to a halt near Adversane Lane, some 30 minutes later.

He pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, dangerous driving, using a vehicle with no insurance and failing to stop for police.

He will have to take an extended driving test before he can get his licence back.

PC John Lawson, from the Sussex Police Roads Policing Unit, said: “This driver was willing to put himself and others at risk by drinking and driving, then he deliberately drove dangerously in order to try and escape.

“This sentence reflects the severity of the offences Quant committed. The Sussex Police Roads Policing Unit works tirelessly together with its partners to promote safe driving and educate drivers, but this sentence shows that where people are willing to put other road users at risk, there will be serious consequences.”

Anyone witnessing dangerous or anti-social driving can report it to police via the Operation Crackdown website at www.operationcrackdown.org or calling police on 101.