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Builder Darren Cooper spared jail for hitting police car during pursuit




A BUILDER who worked on celebrities' homes in London rammed into a police car during a high speed pursuit, a court heard.

Darren Cooper (41), from Holbury, was driving a stolen vehicle at the time of the incident, Southampton Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Catherine Donnelly said he had also been banned from the roads for 18 months by magistrates after being convicted of drug-driving in January 2020.

On 6th March police were alerted to a stolen vehicle at Holbury and PC Jeremy Weston located the car, she said.

Darren Cooper avoided a jail term at Southampton Crown Court
Darren Cooper avoided a jail term at Southampton Crown Court

But when he activated his blue lights it drove off "at speed" with Cooper at the wheel.

Ms Donnelly went on: "PC Weston continued to follow the car onto Dark Lane. It stopped and then reversed into the police car and rammed it once, causing an injury to the police vehicle."

The Mazda made off and the police car went after it onto Blackfield Road and Carpenter Road where the Mazda encountered bollards and stopped.

Cooper and a female passenger fled the vehicle and PC Weston pursued them on foot, reporting he could hear Cooper shouting obscenities to him and threats.

Cooper was eventually detained and in police interview answered "no comment" to all questions.

Ms Donnelly said the female passenger in the car admitted a charge of aggravated vehicle taking without consent and was given an 18-month community order by magistrates.

Cooper admitted obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty, driving while banned and having no insurance.

He also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving but on the basis that he did not know the Mazda was stolen and hit the police car accidentally.

His barrister Emily Lanham told the court that Cooper had been "unfamiliar" with the car's controls, which is why he struck the patrol vehicle.

She highlighted how Cooper, of Studland Avenue, had kept out of trouble for a considerable time prior to his 2020 conviction, which had been caused by him taking drugs including cocaine.

He had suffered several traumas, she said, including the death of a young child, been diagnosed with emotional stability disorder, and was willing to engage with probation.

Cooper was a "workaholic" and talented at his job of revamping houses, she said, adding: "He was working for celebrities in London and doing high quality work."

Judge Nicholas Rowland spared him prison, explaining that prosecutors had accepted Cooper's claim he "accidentally" collided with the police car.

Judge Rowland also took note of pictures he was handed showing work Cooper had done to his home, and urged Cooper to concentrate on his career.

Probation had recommended Cooper undergo six months of drug treatment, Judge Rowland noted, which he imposed and also suspended a six-month jail term for two years. Cooper must also do 150 hours of unpaid work.

But the judge warned Cooper: "Sometimes defendants who are given a chance will come back before this court a month or so later and say they can't do unpaid work because of their mental or physical health.

"That simply will not wash in this case. There is no question of swinging the lead."



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