A 33-year-old man who led police on a brief pursuit and was caught attempting to avoid detection by swapping from the driver to the passenger seat, has been handed a 6-week suspended prison sentence.
Shaun Austin, of Fort Street in Sandown, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court earlier this week (Friday), having previously been found guilty of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. He was found guilty in his absence after failing to attend his trial on 4th March.
Leah Dillon, prosecuting, told the court that the incident occurred on 4th July last year at 01:40 in the morning. Austin was spotted by police driving a Volkswagen Polo at speed along The Broadway in Sandown.
Having noticed the speed at which Austin was driving, Police activated their lights and sirens, before Austin turned with no indication onto Melville Street.
In an attempt to evade officers, the 33-year-old parked the car on a driveway where he was seen moving from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat.
The court heard how Police recognised the defendant and subsequently arrested him, where it was then found he was driving whilst disqualified and without insurance.
Austin was handed a 40-month driving ban back in December 2023.
Austin also admitted 2x failing to surrender to court/bail, firstly on the day of his trial and secondly on the day of his initial sentencing hearing back in June.
Defending Austin, Nick Muir, told the court that Austin – who was picked up on an arrest warrant this week – had addiction and mental health issue and that at the time of his court no-shows, was living a “hectic life”.
A probation update read aloud in court, said that whilst he had attended some appointments, Austin had also returned negative drug readings for BZE, cocaine and opiates.
Magistrates sentenced Austin to 6-weeks in prison, suspended for 12-months. He was also banned from driving for 18-months and ordered to pay a fine, court costs and surcharge fee.
