A Halesowen father-of-two has been jailed for 14 months and handed a 30-month driving ban after leading police on a five-and-a-half-minute pursuit at speeds of up to 50mph in 30mph zones, a chase he said was triggered by a passenger's offer to wipe his £15,000 drug debt.
John Zarelli, 51, of New John Street, Halesowen, admitted dangerous driving, using a motor vehicle without third party insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. He appeared via video link from HMP Birmingham at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday, August 4, where he was sentenced.
Chase through Halesowen streets
The court heard that two police officers on patrol in Halesowen began pursuing Zarelli's blue Peugeot as it drove 'at speed' just before 12.40pm on June 15. The pursuit took in multiple roads, including Masters Lane, Narrow Lane, Fairfield Road, Holt Road, Oak Barn Road, Long Lane, Springfield Road, Woodland Road, Olive Hill Road, Malt Mill Lane, Vicarage Road, Church Street, Nimmings Road, and Clement Road.
Prosecutor Shane Kenney said Zarelli drove on the wrong side of the road on Narrow Lane and again on Long Lane, overtook slower vehicles, and forced oncoming traffic to brake to avoid collisions. He accelerated to 50mph in 30mph zones in Fairfield Road and Holt Road, and drove at 40mph in a 30mph zone in Oak Barn Road. He also drove on the wrong side of a 'keep left' bollard on Springfield Road, failed to give way at a junction in Vicarage Road, and 'narrowly' missed a pedestrian crossing the road on Church Street.
Collision and arrest
The chase ended when Zarelli bumped into two other vehicles, causing minor damage to a BMW and a Mini Cooper S, according to Mr Kenney. He then ran from his car through the cemetery at St Paul's Church, but police officers caught up with him. His front seat passenger fled the scene and was not apprehended.
Zarelli told police he had a £30,000 drugs debt, which had been reduced to £15,000. He said he was driving around his passenger 'Josh', a drug dealer, who 'threatened' him and made him drive away from police, agreeing to wipe the remaining debt if he did so. Zarelli also claimed the car's speedometer was broken.
Extensive criminal record
The court heard that Zarelli has been sentenced 28 times for 119 offences. He was on licence after being released from a 40-month sentence for burglary and taking a vehicle without consent, and was recalled to prison after his latest crimes.
Rachel Pennington, defending, said a probation officer who wrote Zarelli's pre-sentence report 'does not and cannot recommend anything other than a custodial sentence'. However, she said Zarelli has shown 'remorse' and 'acknowledges' his wrongdoing.
Ms Pennington said: "He tells me he is kicking himself for agreeing to that driving. He believes his drug debt is now gone but he would rather have had the freedom. He has hope that his release from custody this time will be different."
She added that Zarelli's criminal record dates back to when he was a juvenile, pointing to 'childhood trauma' and a 'clear drug dependency that has plagued him for much of his life'. She said he plans to move away from the area to have a fresh start.
Recorder Jones said Zarelli has an 'extensive record' for dishonesty, aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified, and driving without insurance. Probation assessed him as posing a 'high risk of harm to the public', Recorder Jones added.
Zarelli was jailed for 14 months and handed a 30-month driving ban on Tuesday, August 4.
