A disqualified driver who led police on a terrifying high-speed chase through a residential area, reaching 70mph in a 20mph zone, has been sent to prison.
Reckless Pursuit Through Port Talbot
Ryan Simon, aged 33, was behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle when he engaged in a pursuit that a judge later said could easily have killed someone. The incident began on November 21, 2025, when Simon took a car from a property in Port Talbot.
In an attempt to avoid detection, he fitted the car with stolen number plates. He also removed several items from inside the vehicle, including a dash-cam, a driving licence, and an amount of cash.
Narrow Misses and Eventual Collision
When police officers approached him the following day, Simon drove off at speed. The court heard he narrowly avoided dragging an officer along with the vehicle as he fled, prompting the start of a formal pursuit.
During the chase, Simon showed a complete disregard for public safety. He accelerated to between 60mph and 70mph in areas with a 20mph limit, ignored traffic calming measures, and ran a red light. After narrowly avoiding a collision with another vehicle, he eventually crashed into an unmarked police car. He then mounted a kerb, putting pedestrians at direct risk.
Previous Record and Sentencing
Cardiff Crown Court was told that Simon, of Kern Close, Sandfields, Port Talbot, had a significant history of previous driving offences. His record included aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, and taking vehicles without consent, alongside theft, robbery, and burglary convictions.
In mitigation, defence barrister John Allchurch said Simon had struggled with cocaine addiction but was determined to address his problems. Since being remanded in custody, he had engaged with drug and alcohol awareness programmes and worked in the prison kitchen.
Simon pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated vehicle taking, theft from a motor vehicle, theft, and driving whilst disqualified. On Tuesday, January 13, he was sentenced to 18 months in jail and banned from driving for four years and nine months.
Passing sentence, Judge Paul Hobson told Simon: "You could have killed somebody, it's sheer luck you didn't do so. The fact you caused only major damage to the vehicle was sheer good fortune."
