A notorious dangerous driver is now serving a 2-year stretch behind bars after breaching a suspended sentence by committing yet more driving offences – with Police warning others that they will not tolerate illegal driving.
27-year-old Joseph Barrass, also known as Joseph Baker, has been forcibly taken off the roads by being imprisoned after once again flouting his latest driving ban.
Joey was found behind the wheel of a car – and therefore driving whilst disqualified and without insurance – on 13th July this year, just 5 months after being given a 16-month suspended sentence for dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified.
Barrass has become notorious for leading Police on high-speed pursuits and defying the courts. Having been born without a lower left arm, Baker’s driving offences are said to have begun as a way of proving he can do what an able-bodied person can. He has even been featured in the national press for his crimes.
Over the past decade, Barrass has racked up a number of convictions for almost 50 offences – with many of these having been committed on the Island over the past 5 years. He has appeared on the Echo many times since his arrival on the Island… In August 2019, Joey was sentenced to 14 months in prison and given a 3 year 7-month driving ban for a pursuit near Ryde on 4th July 2019. In August 2018, he was jailed for 11 months and banned for almost 2-and-a-half years following pursuits on both 17th June 2018 and 15th July 2018.
Although Barrass has been sent to prison before this is his lengthiest sentence to date, meaning he is guaranteed to be off the roads until at least next summer – taking into account time served and being released on licence. Although it will be quite some time before he is legally allowed to drive again…
Speaking about Joseph’s conviction, PC Paul Neill of Hampshire Constabulary has told Island Echo:
“We are committed to keeping our Island’s roads safe for motorists and targeting those who flagrantly break the law and put other road users at risk. Joseph Baker is one of those individuals, and has a catalogue of offending behind him.
Article continues below this advertisement “Baker has persistently shown absolutely no regard for the law or the safety of other road users, and I am pleased that this jail term will provide further protection to the public.
“We have always been clear with the public about the risks of driving dangerously or illegally, and regularly conduct operations and campaigns to further raise awareness of these risks, and educate and protect drivers.
“We also hope this is a lesson to others who think they can get away with driving illegally – whether this be without insurance, a licence or by other means – we simply will not tolerate it and the consequences are serious.”
Judge Mousely sentenced Joseph Barrass to a total of 24-months in custody when he appeared before the Isle of Wight Crown Court on 14th October.
An extension of a driving ban ha ha ha ha yer right that’s clearly going to work yet again isn’t it?
Seriously, the UK law on driving offences is laughable especially when you talk to the Fire Crew, Police Officers and Ambulance Crew who have to witness and clean up the horrific scenes that this selfish ignorant anti social vermin causes.
I like the “three strikes and you’re out” sunshine ruling. Go straight to jail and enjoy your over crowded cell with a bucket to share with your chums. The least you deserve loser.
‘In August 2019, Joey was sentenced to 14 months in prison’ Is the reporter on first name, or even nick-name, terms with the offender?
I thought the same . Anyone else would be referred to buy their Sir name !
I do wish Island Echo would not refer to criminals by their pet name. In this case It’s Joey this and Joey that. In a previous story a sex offender was referred to as Tom. These criminals are not our friends. Please impart some seriousness to your article by referring to these scum by there surname only.
Sadly, the moron Barrass/Baker is just one of a group of mentally unstable goons who regularly bedevil island roads.
Ever since the demise of the island’s own dedicated Roads Policing Unit a number of years ago these highly dangerous criminals have multiplied.
Well said
He’s not mentally unstable; he’s an inconsiderate thug terrifying people on the roads. Criminals like this frequently plea mental instability when it’s nothing of the sort.
What part of his Brain doesn’t recognise potential deaths he could course, he will never understand the pain victims and loved ones have to suffer, for the rest of their lives…all because of a ignorant, uneducated, benefit freeloader like him..
This should mean a lifetime ban, he will never change his ways.
What part of WHAT brain?
He hasn’t got a brain, he is just a criminal scumbag who deserves to be locked up for a very long time, it isn’t a case of if this scum kills someone but when.
These types don’t care one fig. They don’t recognize a driving ban by the courts as any way part of punishment for their crime. Total waster. When he gets out, he’ll drive again.
2 year sentence is unbelievable for these offences.
Life ban would be more appropriate & longer sentence!
This scum should be made to pay for his ignorant behaviour.
Oh,come on! Just over 6 months inside,and he’ll be driving again in the summer! He has NO regard for the law whatsoever – he needs putting away for a lot longer than that!
Cars run on petrol/diesel/electricity. Not on driving licenses. Far too weak slap on the wrist.
Since he came to the island….. yet another one.
His car whatever he is caught in should be crushed.
He should have a life ban on driving he is a dangerous and will kill people.
What is it that the people who can deal with this DONT.
What happens in two years then???
Nowhere near long enough. This idiot is lucky he didn’t kill anyone. 5 years would have been more appropriate, making sure he served the FULL term, not let out half way through the sentence. That’s very bizarre.
Lets hope mob rule take it out before someone of innocence is maimed, or killed. Where are all the real men now?
He will have to keep his Barrass covered when he is in prison won’t he?
Good job he’s off the road but need to be out in Ryde at night cars speeding all over the place, west Street partlands area please
Risking the lives of others to prove he can do what an able bodied persons can do? Try working for a living then. That will enable the purchase of some driving lessons & maybe a test at some point, if ever clever enough! Then the scum would have earned a license to loose. Could try buying a road legal car & insurance too. Maybe after achieving such this dimwit would understand such a punishment as having its vehicle seized & license taken away. We all know that takes Brains & Ambitions, so unlikely to happen.
Its safe to say the only license this piece of scum will ever have, is the one he’s released on!
Why don’t we have Hard Labour anymore? He could prove himself swinging a sledge hammer.