Scott Stockbridge jailed after helicopter used to catch him

Scott Stockbridge. Picture: Surrey Police

A 42-year-old resident of Lionel Road North has been jailed for 14 months after reaching speeds of over 100Mph trying to evade the police.

Scott Neil Stockbridge is behind bars after pleading guilty to dangerous driving following a pursuit through Thames Ditton and East Molesey in August.

Officers spotted Stockbridge driving dangerously in a black BMW estate car in Thames Ditton on 3 August. He made off, driving dangerously through East Molesey towards Walton town centre. The pursuit was abandoned at that point as he was travelling in excess of 100mph towards a busy town centre.

The car was later picked up on the A3 and a police helicopter followed him as he continued to drive dangerously along the A3 to Milford where he took the exit and sped along the back roads towards Farnham.

Officers were eventually able to bring the car to a stop in Frensham Road. Stockbridge tried to escape through the driver’s door window but was detained.

Damage was caused to three police vehicles when stopping the BMW, but no-one was hurt.

Stockbridge was charged with numerous offences later that day.

Sergeant Phil Dix from the Surrey Police Roads Policing Unit said, “Stockbridge was already on licence for similar offences and was a disqualified driver when he was seen driving dangerously again. This resulted in a lengthy pursuit through a busy area during the middle of the day. The fact that he is now behind bars means he is not going to be a menace on our roads for some time and sends a strong message that we will not tolerate anyone whose driving endangers the lives of others on our county’s roads.”

Stockbridge was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Monday 7 September, after also pleading guilty to failing to stop, driving whilst disqualified and without insurance and failing to provide a sample of saliva for a preliminary drugs test at an earlier hearing.

He was also disqualified from driving for five years and seven months and until an extended test has been passed, and ordered to pay a £165 victim surcharge.

September 21, 2020