Speeding driver who crashed into a school entrance in Nottinghamshire is jailed

A driver who sped away from police at over 100mph before smashing his car into a school wall has been jailed.

Julian Robinson lost control of his car at high speed after being followed by police cars for around five minutes.

The 53-year-old was initially clocked by patrol officers as driving way too fast for the wintery conditions through Screveton village on the evening of 17 January 2022.

After spotting the pursuing officers, Robinson joined the A46 and tried to speed away from officers – swerving across the dual carriageway and nearly losing control of his car on more than one occasion.

During the incident, Robinson reached a top speed of 104mph while driving on the A46 towards Bingham, before continuing to drive twice the legal limit through Flintham, near Newark-on-Trent.

While weaving through the village at around 60mph, Robinson then lost control of his car at the entrance of Flintham Primary School, in Inholms Road, and “completely obliterated” a wall at the school entrance.

Thankfully no-one was injured.

He was however taken to hospital by police as a precaution, where he then became aggressive and headbutted an officer, causing injuries to their nose.

Robinson, of James Road, Spalding, Peterborough, appeared via video link at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (9 June), having pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and assault of an emergency worker.

He was sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Investigator Charlotte Read, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Robinson’s driving that evening was incredibly dangerous and put himself, our officers and everyone in the surrounding area at serious risk of harm.

“After fleeing from pursuing officers at more than 100mph, Robinson then made the incredibly erratic decision to carry on speeding through a residential area and is extremely lucky that his actions didn’t lead to anyone else being hurt.

“There is simply no place for this type of irresponsible driving on our roads and I hope this offender uses his time in prison to think about his mistakes and changes his ways for the better.”