The driver was on the pavement and desperately trying to escape from police
Dangerous driver Reece Jackson(Image: Humberside Police)
A terrified refuse collector had to jump over a wall in a desperate bid to avoid being hit and sent flying by a speeding car that was suddenly hurtling towards him. The driver had “a history of joyriding in the Scunthorpe area” and he was desperately trying to escape from the police by driving on a pavement.
The police were so worried about the danger to people and other vehicles that they deliberately rammed their vehicle into his, a court heard. Reece Jackson, 23, of Scunthorpe, but recently in custody on remand, admitted dangerous driving on January 30.
Richard Butters, prosecuting at Hull Crown Court, said that police spotted Jackson in a Kia Rio car that was originally thought to be stolen but was not. He drove from Willoughby Road to Barnetby Road, Scunthorpe, and braked briefly as the Kia came up behind another car.
Jackson drove onto the kerb to pass that vehicle. The police illuminated their flashing blue lights but Jackson failed to stop.
He drove towards the kerb and police could see a black Mercedes parked half-on the kerb, with a white Fiat 500 parked behind it. Two council refuse workers in hi-viz clothes were on a pathway between the two cars and nearby gardens.
Because of the way that Jackson was driving, one of the council workers took evasive action by jumping over a wall into a garden as Jackson’s car approached him along the path and failed to stop.
The Kia hit the black and white cars as it tried to squeeze between them and the garden walls. To stop any further damage to other vehicles or injury to anyone, the police car was deliberately driven into Jackson’s Kia, causing it to come to a stop.
“The purpose of it was to prevent him from moving forward any further,” said Mr Butters. “He was showing no signs at all of stopping.
“The only way to prevent him going any further forward was to collide with the defendant’s vehicle.” Jackson had convictions including a two-year custodial sentence for drugs supply in 2022 and 18 months for wounding in August 2024.
Ben Hammersley, mitigating, said that Jackson panicked after seeing the flashing lights of the police car. “He did something monumentally stupid and continued with his reckless, stupid and ultimately dangerous behaviour,” said Mr Hammersley.
“He knows the trouble and harm that he could have caused and wishes he could take it back. He does wish to apologise for his actions.
“He was not thinking when he saw the police lights. There was a degree of immaturity. He is motivated to address his issues so that he can go on to live a law-abiding life.”
Jackson had committed serious offences in the past and he had been in custody for about three months. He was unemployed but was waiting to get on a welding course.
Recorder Dan Pawson-Pounds KC told Jackson: “You drove along the pavement and forced at least one pedestrian to take evasive action and jump over a garden wall. You forced your way back onto the road.
“You panicked when you saw the police. You created a significant risk to other people and vehicles by your driving.
“You made a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road and disregard the safety of others. You caused damage to other vehicles.
“You have a history of joyriding in the Scunthorpe area. There is a pattern here of recklessness and immaturity. You are poor at taking personal responsibility.”
Jackson, now of Ravendale Road, Middlesbrough, was given a one-year suspended prison sentence, 100 hours’ unpaid work, 26 sessions of a probation service programme, a three-month 9pm to 7am curfew and 10 days’ rehabilitation. He was banned from driving for one year and he must pass an extended retest before he can drive legally again.
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