Drunk driver raced police with son, 2, in front seat

3:50pm Friday 16th May 2008

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A drunk driver has been jailed for 15 months for racing through Sutton with his toddler son perched on the lap of a front-seat passenger.

Police signalled for Derek Ball, 42, to stop so they could warn him of the dangers to the two-year-old boy but were instead led on a high-speed chase.

Croydon Crown Court was told that a bus braked sharply and patrol cars swerved to narrowly avoid his blue Rover on December 13.

When a woman police officer eventually attempted to flag down the out-of-control vehicle she was knocked down and injured.

Ball, of Parkhurst Road, Carshalton, was found to have been more than twice over the drink-drive limit. He later confessed to dangerous driving.

Passing sentence on Tuesday, Judge Timothy Stow, QC, said: "This is one of the worst cases of dangerous driving I have come across. The officer could easily have been killed or very seriously injured."

The court had heard how Ball was pursued along Wrythe Lane, Duke of Edinburgh Road and Erskine Road after officers spotted that the child was not restrained.

Julius Capon, for the prosecution, said: "As the car was turning into Parkhurst Road, PC Helen Hansen tried to run but was struck by the car while still on the pavement, knocking her on to the bonnet and on to the ground.

"Fortunately, she did not have serious injuries, but she had cuts and bruises and was taken to St Helier Hospital with shock. It must have been a terrifying incident for her."

Andrew Newton, for the defence, said Ball was in a panic and had not struck the officer intentionally. The defendant was also banned from driving for five years and must take an extended test before being allowed behind the wheel again.