34-year-old Harry Turnbull has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen after an 8.7-mile pursuit that ended with a stinger deployment.
Turnbull, of Fort Street in Sandown, appeared before Magistrates earlier this week (Tuesday), where he admitted failing to provide and driving a motor vehicle dangerously.
As previously reported by Island Echo, it was on 14th January 2026 that a pursuit between Sandown and Newport occurred involving a VW Transporter.
Prosecuting, Liz Miller, told the court that the 8.7mile pursuit lasted around 15 minutes and saw Turnbull go through 4 sets of red lights, overtake several queuing vehicles, drive on the wrongside of the road, and travel at 57mph in a 30mph zone on Broadway in Sandown.
After travelling through Sandown, over The Downs and into Newport on Long Lane and Staplers Road, Turnbull was eventually stopped on Wellesley Way after the deployment of a stinger.
Court heard how Turnbull made attempts to reverse away from pursuing officers, colliding with the front of a Police car on one occasion.
After being removed from the car, arrested and taken to Newport Police Station, Turnbull refused to provide a specimen for analysis. Also discovered in the camper was a large life-size teddy bear.
Defending Turnbull, Oscar Vincent said that his client deserved full credit for his timely plea of guilt and that the case was one that would benefit from the creation of a pre-sentence report.
Magistrates adjourned the case until the 18th September when a pre-sentence will be prepared.
