A Poole man in possession of cannabis was found guilty of driving offences and has been jailed for 14 months.

Lewis Coxon, 35, of The Topiary, appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Monday 27 September 2021 and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving whilst disqualified, failing to provide a sample of blood for analysis and possession of cannabis.

He appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday 11 November 2021 and was sentenced to 14 months in prison. He has also been disqualified from driving for three years.

At around 2.55pm on Saturday 25 September 2021 a Toyota Rav 4, which was being driven by Coxon, failed to stop for police when requested on the A35 Upton Bypass.

Officers followed the vehicle for approximately 10 minutes, during which it consistently drove at excess speed and contravened several road signs and traffic light signals.

The Toyota eventually came to a stop in the Millfield Estate, at which point Coxon left the vehicle and made off from the scene.

He was detained in a nearby block of flats and was found in possession of the Toyota keys when he was arrested.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located a quantity of cannabis.

Police Constable Dave Cotterill, of the traffic unit, said: “Coxon’s dangerous driving put other road users at risk and it is extremely fortunate that nobody was hurt by his reckless actions.

“Thanks to the swift actions of officers, I am pleased that we were able to bring Coxon before the court so he could face the consequences of his offending behaviour.”