Home   Deal   News   Article

Jail for Deal drink driver Roger Bradbury who led police on 100mph chase in Dover

A drink-driver from Deal who took his dad’s car without permission and led police on a 100mph chase through Dover has been sent to prison.

Roger Bradbury, from Delane Road, Deal, was prevented from driving after suffering up to 15 epileptic-like fits each day.

At an earlier hearing at Canterbury Crown Court, the 33-year-old had slumped sideways in the dock and fallen to the ground causing the case to be adjourned.

Judge Adele Williams has now been told Elmley prison is able to deal with his medical condition which is yet to be diagnosed by experts.

She told him: “This was grossly irresponsible behaviour. You put other road users at risk.”

Bradbury admitted charges of aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving at twice the legal alcohol limit and without insurance.

Prosecutor Allister Walker had told how a police officer spotted Bradbury in Back Road West
in Dover standing near a Vauxhall Zafira and talking to a hitchhiker.

He said the officer suspected Bradbury had been drinking and ordered him not to get into the car before being breath tested.

“Instead, he got back inside the car and revved his engine before performing a high-speed U-turn, forcing the officer to jump out of the way.”

The court heard how Bradbury then drove against traffic at 35mph in a 20mph zone, passing up to eight HGVs.

The car was driven the wrong way around a roundabout onto Jubilee Way – again on the wrong side of the carriageway – reaching speeds of 50mph in a 30mph limit.

The judge then heard how along the northbound carriageway on the A2 he topped 80mph performing another dangerous manoeuvre around the Duke of York roundabout.

Mr Walker said the Vauxhall was then clocked at 90mph feigning to leave the road on a number of exits before heading onto the A256 and reaching 100mph towards the Tilmanstone roundabout.

Elmley Prison
Elmley Prison

Bradbury then led a posse of police cars onto the A258 where the car came to a halt after the engine blew and police called for a vehicle to take it away.

The tipsy driver told police: “What’s going on? The car is my dad’s. He doesn’t know I took it.”

Kerry Waitt, defending, said the medicine which Bradbury took for his seizures had “unpleasant side effects” and he had “self-medicated by drinking alcohol” when he became depressed.

“He was at a low ebb after talking with the mother of his child who said she was going to prevent him from seeing his child.

“He became depressed and started drinking,” he added.

Bradbury, who still does not have a licence, was jailed for six months and given a three-year driving ban.

As he was being led away, he blew a kiss to his lover in the public gallery and whispered: “I love you.”

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More