A MAN with links to Yeovil will spend Christmas in jail after engaging in a high-speed chase and repeatedly ramming his vehicle into a police car before his arrest.
Lee McGinty, 39, who is currently based at HM Prison, on Cambridge Road, in Bishopston, Bristol, appeared in Taunton Crown Court to be sentenced on November 4.
The court heard from Emily Cook, prosecuting, that in the early hours of January 12, McGinty was spotted by a police officer driving at “excessive speeds” in Langport and Somerton.
The court listings state he travelled along Wetmoor Lane and Law Lane in Langport and Sutton Road in Somerton, among other locations.
He failed to stop after the police officer activated their lights and sirens and indicated McGinty should pull over.
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McGinty engaged in a high-speed police chase, driving along residential streets at 50mph (20mph over the speed limit).
The court heard that, after briefly stopping at a junction, McGinty continued driving away from the police, travelling at around 100mph in a 60mph zone.
The police officer lost sight of him, but another police officer also spotted him driving at an excessive speed and pursued him.
The court heard McGinty turned onto a residential driveway and ended up trapped between a gate and a police car.
He then drove directly into the police car on three occasions, going “back and forth” between the gate and the vehicle.
Ms Cook said this caused up to £1000 of damage to the gate and scratched up the police car.
It was heard McGinty then exited the vehicle and ran but was detained by Avon and Somerset Police.
Ms Cook said: “It only ended because he was trapped by police.”
Ms Cook told the court McGinty has 20 convictions for 47 separate offences, including multiple driving offences.
McGinty was previously disqualified from driving in 2021 for three years but remains disqualified as he never took his extended retest.
He also had no insurance at the time of the offence.
Patrick Mason, defending, told the court that McGinty has a “long and complex record.”
He said: “There was one offence which resulted in him serving a very long time in prison, so it has been very difficult for him to re-establish his life back in the real world.
“There have been entrenched problems with drug use over the years, which has contributed to behaviour which has put him before the court.”
It was heard McGinty was “living in a degree of chaos” at the time.
Mr Mason said: “He was out of control.”
It was heard no one was injured during the pursuit and that McGinty has spent time in custody up to the court hearing, which has helped him “shake off” the “blight of cocaine.”
Mr Mason added: “He is a grown-up chap who has a good appreciation of what he needs to do to get his life back on track. He is optimistic, and his prospects seem good.”
Recorder D Tait said: “I am not going to lecture you; you already have extensive experience with the criminal justice system.
“You have an appalling record for motoring offences.
“You are just lucky that other motorists weren’t injured, or worse, by your driving. It was a prolonged period of bad driving.”
In response, McGinty said: “It is appalling, yes.
“[I was] just going downhill on drugs, and it was a stage of my life where I was making bad decisions.
“Hopefully I can keep myself out of trouble, away from the wrong crowd and retake my test as soon as the ban is up.
“I have just got to stay positive and stay out of trouble.”
McGinty has been sentenced to serve a total custodial period of 14 months and is disqualified from driving for three years.
He must also take an extended retest.
Recorder Tait said: “You will spend Christmas inside [prison].”
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