A DRUG driver who led officers on a dangerous chase through Colchester city centre in his Ford Mustang skidded off a roundabout and drove through red traffic lights.

At around 3am, on December 5 last year, police received reports of a car being driven dangerously in Colchester. 

Francis Gaskin, prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court, said: “It was told to them it involved ‘burnouts’ and general dangerous driving.”

Police engaged a Ford Mustang, driven by 30-year-old Samuel Richfield, in a pursuit – activating their blue lights and sirens.

During the chase, the rear of the Mustang entered an “uncontrolled skid” as it came off a roundabout in North Station Road, striking a kerb. 

The court heard Richfield drove through sets of red traffic lights as he progressed along the High Street down East Hill, before turning into the one-way Priory Street and driving the wrong way along the road. 

When Richfield reached a car park, he came to a stop at some bollards, before reversing and striking a police car. 

Recorder David Wilson added: “You also narrowly missed a police officer who was trying to strike your window with a baton.”

Richfield reversed down Vineyard Street before coming to a stop and attempting to flee on foot. 

He was detained by police officers and a doorman working at a nearby nightclub. 

A test found he had 64mcg of benzoylecgonine – a by-product of cocaine – per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Mr Wilson said: “The manner of your driving was clearly dangerous, it posed a hazard to those coming out of night-time venues nearby. There was a significant footfall even at that time of day.” 

In a prepared statement made to police, Richfield said he had been out at 3am looking for somewhere to get takeaway food. 

He told police once he realised police were signalling for him to stop, he became concerned about the way officers were driving and “what the police’s conduct might be towards him”.

“You also felt the police were unfairly monitoring your vehicle,” said Mr Wilson. 

Richfield said the pursuit had left him fearing for his life. 

But Mr Wilson added: “If you’d pulled over, this incident would never have escalated in the way it did.”

Richfield, of Boxted Road, Colchester, admitted dangerous driving, drug driving, criminal damage and failing to stop when required by a police officer.

Elliott Moulster, mitigating, said his client had admitted the offences at the earliest opportunity and had no relevant previous convictions. 

He said Richfield did not accept the claims made about his driving by the member of the public who called the police. 

“It may not matter, as what happens thereafter is completely accepted,” he said. 

Mr Moulster said Richfield spotted a significant number of police cars activating their blue lights, but did not initially realise they were after him. 

He said his client “tried to find somewhere to stop”, but panicked as he had suffered a previous assault by a police officer “which left him in a trauma unit”. 

“His previous involvement with the police left him somewhat scared and somewhat traumatised,” he said.

Mr Moulster said his client had asserted he had taken cocaine three days prior to the chase and didn’t realise it would still be in his system. 

The court heard Richfield had suffered with severe mental health difficulties, but had “turned a corner” following treatment and support, finding secure employment.

Mr Wilson felt able to suspend a six-month prison sentence for 18 months, and ordered Richfield to complete a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement. 

He was banned from driving for two years and must pay £528 in court costs.