Court hears driver 'made gestures at' police as they pursued Subaru Impreza in Ballyclare area
Police pursued a Subaru Impreza at speeds of more than 90mph in the Ballyclare area, a court was told.
Details were given to Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena, regarding a 28-year-old defendant.
Jed Hill of Grainger's Mill in Antrim was sentenced on charges including dangerous driving; failing to stop for police; possession of a knife as an offensive weapon; having a fraudulent number plate; disqualified driving and absence of insurance.
A prosecutor outlined that at 2am on October 16 last year, a Subaru Impreza almost collided with a police vehicle. It drove on and police pursued with lights and sirens activated.
The car hit estimated speeds in excess of 90mph. It had travelled in the Doagh area and had a false rear number plate.
The court was told the Subara almost collided with a kerb and overtook a vehicle without indicating.
The police vehicle was alongside the Subaru but the driver "made gestures” at officers.
The car eventually turned into Willendale Meadows in Ballyclare and stopped. A knife was found in the driver's footwell.
A defence barrister said the knife was a lock knife which the defendant used for work.
He said Hill has had a "road to Damascus moment" and has "wised up".
District Judge Nigel Broderick said it had been "disgraceful behaviour".
He told the defendant: "Not only is your driving disgraceful and dangerous but your criminal record is atrocious".
The defendant had six previous driving whilst disqualified convictions and 15 previous convictions for absence of insurance.
The judge said there was "every reason" why the defendant should be jailed immediately but he deferred sentencing for a year to June 2027.
Hill was warned there must be no further offending and he must engage positively with a current Probation Order.
He is also currently banned from driving, after being given a three-year disqualification in May this year.
At the May court, Judge Broderick had branded Hill a "danger to other road users" .
That court had been told that on March 12 this year the defendant was driving at Sevenmilestraight near Antrim when he crashed into the rear of another vehicle "at speed". "Significant" damage was caused.
The defendant was unconscious and an ambulance and police were called. Police arrived and he was semi-conscious at that stage.
Cocaine was found in the vehicle, the court heard.
Hill was discharged from the hospital with "no injuries".
His charges were driving whilst disqualified; failing to provide a specimen; absence of insurance; possession of Class A drugs; aggravated taking of a vehicle without consent; and driving without due care and attention.
In another incident, on December 5 last year, police received a report of the defendant "tripping over his own feet". CCTV showed he had been driving in the area of Asda in Antrim.
A blood sample showed he had drugs in his system.
He was charged with driving whilst disqualified; driving whilst unfit; and absence of insurance.
A defence barrister told the May court it was "but by the grace of God" that the defendant was not injured in the Sevenmilestraight collision.
Judge Broderick said at that court a custodial sentence was warranted but that the defendant had already spent time in jail on remand.
In May he had handed down an Enhanced Combination Order of 18 months Probation and 100 hours of Community Service; a three year driving ban; and a £100 fine.