Woman with pram narrowly avoided dangerous driver

Plus: The list of Ashfield schools to be rebuilt is confirmed

Good morning and welcome to the Monday briefing from Ashfield News. Today, a mum is forced to take action due to a dangerous driver, a school projects boost for Ashfield schools, Ashfield remembers the fallen and much more.

Today’s full newsletter is exclusive to our paid subscribers. Ashfield News is solely reader supported and you can upgrade your membership today for just £4 per month - or a discounted £30 per year - by clicking the link below.

---

Police dog tracked down dangerous driver

A dangerous driver forced a woman with a pushchair to take evasive action as he led police on a high-speed chase through Sutton-in-Ashfield.

Jack Williamson was disqualified from driving when officers spotted him behind the wheel on Sunday, September 14.

After a pursuit was launched by officers, Williams proceeded to drive on the wrong side of the road, mount a kerb, overtake other drivers, drive through red lights and hit speeds of 70mph in a 30mph zone.

The 28-year-old, of Farnsworth Grove in Huthwaite, eventually abandoned his vehicle in a pub car park in Alfreton Road and hid in shrubbery.

But he hadn’t bargained on Police Dog Seth and his handler, who tracked Williamson down.

He had previously been banned from driving for a similar offence and went on to admit dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

He was jailed for 14 months when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing.

Detective Sergeant Clint Gloyn, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was an appalling and reckless display of driving that put other road users and pedestrians in danger.

“At one point a woman pushing a pram was forced to take evasive action as Williamson drove through a pedestrianised area.

“He then hid from our officers and may well have remained undiscovered without the intervention of Seth, who was able to track Williamson’s scent from the car to his hiding place.

“Using additional CCTV footage, we were also able to prove that Williamson had got out of the driver’s seat before fleeing the scene.

“All in all, he had little choice but to plead guilty and will now spend more time behind bars as a result.”

---

Full list of Ashfield schools to be re-built

Funding has been confirmed for school building projects which will benefit four Ashfield centres.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged £1.4bn of investment for school rebuilding programmes ahead of the budget.