A joyrider who hit 110mph in his mum’s Mercedes during a dangerous high-speed police chase through Beckenham and West Wickham has avoided jail.
Terence Ward, 24, from King Henry’s Drive, New Addington, was seen by police speeding through a red light in the early hours of March 31, 2024. What followed was a dramatic pursuit on roads with a 30mph speed limit, during which Ward hit 90mph approaching the Chinese Garage roundabout and then 110mph on Wickham Way, before finally crashing into a bollard on Red Lodge Road.
Police Chase in the Early Hours
Prosecutor Mr Gold told Croydon Crown Court that officers in a marked police car first spotted the grey Mercedes at 3.22am, running a red light at high speed.
“The car was doing speeds of up to 90mph and continued towards the Chinese Garage roundabout,” Mr Gold said.
Despite having no licence or insurance, Ward tried to flee police, driving recklessly through multiple red lights and sharp bends before losing control.
“He then went round a blind corner and crashed. When officers found the car, he was inside with the airbag deployed, having crashed into a pillar,” Mr Gold added.
‘I Couldn’t Sleep’
When arrested, Ward claimed he couldn’t sleep and had taken his mother’s car without permission to go for a drive.
He admitted trying to evade police because he knew he was driving unlicensed and uninsured.
‘Awful Driving’ – But No Jail
Ward has a record of previous driving offences but has since started working for a road works company. His employer told the court that he had made genuine efforts to change his behaviour.
Judge Elizabeth Smaller described his driving as “awful” and added:
“You were lucky you weren’t hurt and you were very lucky no one else was hurt.”
But citing his employment and the lack of recent offences, she opted for a suspended sentence.
The Sentence
- One year in custody, suspended for 12 months
- Disqualified from driving for 12 months
More from: Croydon Chase · Croydon Crown cOurt
