Jabulane Mpayang, a 44-year-old father of three from Pendragon Road in Perry Barr, has been handed an extended driving ban after leading police on a 60mph chase through Birmingham streets. The incident occurred in the early hours of August 10 last year, when officers spotted his black Vauxhall Astra stationary in the middle of the road with its lights on and the door open.
Mpayang, who already had a previous conviction for dangerous driving, drove off when officers approached. He was eventually apprehended in Woodcock Lane, Acocks Green, after a foot chase during which he attempted to flee by jumping out of a bush.
Chase details and trial
Prosecutor Tillita St Juste told Birmingham Magistrates’ Court that police were on patrol at 1.45am when they noticed the vehicle. “Officers approached the vehicle and he pulled off. He drove from the patrol car and his vehicle reached 60mph,” she said.
“The defendant drove all over the place and then drove to a petrol station. A foot chase then took place. He then began walking around the area. The defendant’s jumped out of a bush past an officer and then been arrested.”
Mpayang was charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance. He admitted the latter two offences but contested the other two. Following a trial on July 20 this year, he was found guilty on both contested charges.
Previous conviction and mitigation
The court heard that Mpayang had three convictions for seven offences, including dangerous driving. The prosecution noted that his failure to stop was an aggravating factor in this case.
His legal representative said: “This is another case where the defendant has accepted responsibility but disputed his driving was dangerous but it was decided it was. He has three dependent children. He’s not working. Has a very serious injury on his back.”
The representative added: “He has a commitment to working with probation should you allow that today. He is relatively lightly convicted and has no substantial convictions since 2010. Good personal mitigation. Little chance of this happening again.”
Sentence handed down
The lead magistrate addressed Mpayang directly, saying: “We are looking at a very serious offence which you have been found guilty of – dangerous driving. What made it worse was you failed to stop and had no insurance. You’re lucky you haven’t killed somebody or yourself.”
The court imposed a five-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and a 12-month community order. Mpayang was banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £650 in court costs and a £154 surcharge.
The magistrate concluded: “You are banned for 18 months from driving. Don’t drive any vehicle on the roads in the UK. You have to pass an extended test first.”
