Corsham chase man walks free (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Corsham chase man walks free

9:00am Saturday 5th May 2012 in Corsham

A banned driver who twice led police on high speed night time chases has walked free from court.

Jamie Sharman-Palmer had just been released on bail for the first offence when he went out and did the same thing again.

But after hearing how the Sharman-Palmer, 33, had been out of trouble for a year and was getting help for his problems a judge decided not to impose an immediate jail term.

Sharman-Palmer was first caught after he was identified in video footage from a camera fitted in the pursuing police car as he ran away at the end of the chase.

Police first spotted him behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Astra on Pickwick Road shortly after midnight on October 10, 2010.

Officers followed with their lights and sirens on but the car sped off at 80mph in a 30mph zone before crossing a red traffic light, nearly hitting another car.

The Astra then led police on a high-speed chase across town from Chequers Hill, ending at the industrial estate off Leafield Way.

Once there he jumped from the car before escaping on foot – but his face was caught on the pursuing vehicle’s CCTV system.

He had admitted the offence before a crown court judge and was on bail awaiting sentence when he did the same thing again.

Police were called to the rear of Cornwall House on Kings Avenue, Corsham, on March 20 last year, where Sharman-Palmer was driving a Peugeot 106. He then led police on a chase along Park Lane, Westwells Road, Jaggards Lane, Wadswick Lane, Brockleaze and Monks Lane to Easton Lane.

Sharman-Palmer, of Dicketts Road, Corsham, pleaded guilty to two counts each of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Jason Taylor, defending, said his client had been undergoing treatment with a forensic psychologist to address his issues.

Judge Euan Ambrose imposed a one year jail term suspended for 18 months and told Sharman-Palmer he would be under the supervision of the probation service for that time. He also banned him from the road for two years and until he had passed an extended driving test.