Man banned from driving after police pursuit on A303
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A driver who attempted to drive the wrong way down the A303 following a police pursuit has been banned from driving for 18 months.
Ross Solomon, 33, of St Birinus Road, Woodfalls, was also given a 12 month prison sentence suspended for 12 months when he appeared at Salisbury Crown Court earlier this month.
On May 2, 2020, officers from Salisbury Community Policing Team spotted a Volkswagen Golf out late at night during the lockdown due to Covid 19.
When they attempted to stop the vehicle to speak to Soloman who was the driver, he failed to stop and a pursuit began in Wilton Road. An officer from the Roads Policing Unit was in the area at the time and pursued the vehicle from Salisbury to Amesbury via Larkhill. At one point, Solomon drove at an oncoming police vehicle which had to take immediate action to avoid a head on collision. Officers attempted to deploy a stinger device to stop the vehicle on London Road in Amesbury, however Solomon mounted the pavement to avoid the stinger. He then continued driving the wrong way down the one-way system in Amesbury High Street, reaching speeds of 70mph in a 30mph limit along Church Street. As he reached the A303 he attempted to drive the wrong way down the road into the path of oncoming traffic, leaving officers with no other option but to make contact with the Golf to prevent him risking the lives of other motorists, bringing the pursuit to a safe conclusion.
Sgt Barry Geering said: “During the pursuit Soloman contravened red lights, keep left bollards, a roundabout and a one way system. He also exceeded the speed limit a number of times putting himself, police officers and other road users and pedestrians in danger. As the Judge stated in court, Solomon’s driving was about as bad as it gets and he could have killed someone. It was by the skin of his teeth that he was prepared to suspend the sentence given.
“This type of behaviour on the county’s roads is wholly unacceptable and our officers are specially trained in bringing pursuits of this nature to a safe stop, protecting the lives of road users.
“I’m pleased Solomon has been given an 18 month driving ban and a suspended prison sentence so if he does reoffend, it is likely he will go straight to prison. He has shown complete disregard for the justice system since his initial arrest, failing to attend his court hearing resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest."
Solomon must also take part in a 15 day rehabilitation order.