Crime
WATCH: Car thief rams police car in Peterborough in bid to escape
A car thief repeatedly rammed a police car in a desperate bid to get away.
Thomas Smiley, 33, was a driving the Renault Kadjar along Whittlesey Road, in Stanground, Peterborough, at about 10.15pm on 5 April this year when traffic officers got behind it.
They followed it to Hankey Street in Millfield.
Few smiles from Thomas Smiley as he’s jailed for multiple driving offences
Smiley had stolen the vehicle from the driveway of a house in Milton Road, Cambridge, on 2 April.
Officers boxed the car in, but Smiley rammed them multiple times, causing damage to both vehicles.
He eventually ran but was Tasered and arrested.
Investigations revealed Smiley had filled the car up with £82.43 of fuel at Haddon Services, in Peterborough, on 3 April, but had driven off without paying.
The car’s number plate had also been stolen from a van at Euro Parts, in Mercer Row, Cambridge.
Before the pursuit, more number plates had been stolen from a Volkswagen Golf parked in Westwood Park Road, Peterborough, and replaced with the original number plates from the Kadjar.
On Friday (30 June) at Peterborough Crown Court, Smiley, of Queens Walk, Peterborough, was jailed for two years, having pleaded guilty to theft, making off without payment, dangerous driving, driving with no insurance and driving otherwise in accordance with a licence.
Thomas Smiley jailed for multiple driving offences; video released by Cambs Police
A charge of handling stolen goods was ordered to lie on file, and he was also disqualified from driving for three years.
DC Andrew Donaldson said: “Smiley caused misery for the victim by stealing their car and then drove dangerously, endangering both the public and our officers. I am delighted he has faced justice.”
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