pic: Met Police

A  man faces 36 weeks in prison after committing a string of driving offences, culminating in a high-speed chase through the streets of Croydon.

Dean Francis, 31,  from Clyde Road, Croydon, was spotted by police on October 2 doing a U-turn in a silver Mercedes. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but were forced to pursue when it sped away.

A chase ensued, with Francis reaching speeds of over 80 mph on residential roads, turning his headlights off as he drove.

After heading straight across a small roundabout, Francis collided with a black Corsa on Blackbrook Lane, seriously damaging both vehicles. The driver of the Corsa was taken to QE Hospital in Woolwich, suffering from whiplash.

Francis tried to escape on foot. He climbed a barbed wire fence and ran into the grounds of Bickley Manor Hotel, but became entangled in brambles giving officers a chance to detain him.

He appeared at Croydon Crown Court last week and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to stop when required, and using a vehicle without insurance. He was given a 10 week prison sentence, to be served concurrently with a previous 6 month sentence, also for dangerous driving.

Francis has been convicted of 17 driving offences in the past, 5 of which occurred this year.

Sergeant Lee Howes from the MPS Traffic Unit said: “Francis is a prolific and convicted disqualified driver whose driving on the roads places members of the public in danger.”