A man from Walworth has been jailed for dangerous driving after he let go of the wheel to jump in the back of his car during a police chase in Gravesend.
Olumuyiwa Rhoomes, aged 33, failed to pull over when Kent police officers on patrol indicated for him to stop in October, 2019.
Rhoomes, from Amelia Street, then drove through the Northfleet area at “high speed” and curb clipping.
He was seen overtaking another car despite oncoming traffic and nearly collided with a pedestrian.
Officers then witnessed him let go of the wheel and climb into the back seat of his grey Hyundai Tuscan while travelling at more than 40 miles per hour, before the passenger jumped into the driving seat and pulled the car over.
He was arrested at the scene and charged with dangerous driving.
On Monday, January 27, he pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and was jailed for 14 months and banned from driving for more than three years.
He will have to take an extended driving test to be able to drive again.
PC Tom Slocombe, the investigating officer, said: “Rhoomes put many lives at risk including his own when he drove at speed through residential streets in an attempt to avoid police.
“He showed a blatant disregard for other road users and it’s only luck that no one was hurt.”