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A dangerous driver who narrowly avoided crashing into other vehicles before ploughing into a safety barrier has been sentenced.
Police on patrol in an unmarked car spotted Billy Ronchi’s Seat Toledo driving erratically in Bramcote on 18 January 2024.
They activated blue lights and pulled the car over in Cockington Road, Bilborough, shortly after 9pm.
However, when officers exited their car Ronchi pulled away.
The 22-year-old, of Baker Street, Derby, accelerated and reached speeds of around 70mph along residential streets with speed limits of between 20mph and 40mph.
He also passed through red lights and narrowly avoided crashing into a lorry.
As officers followed, Ronchi continued at speed and travelled down the wrong side of the road around blind bends on Coventry Lane.
Here Ronchi lost control of the car, causing it to bounce off a metal barrier and spin in the carriageway multiple times before coming to a stop.
The collision caused a significant amount of damage to the front of the car and debris was left strewn across the road.
Officers pulled Ronchi from the smoking vehicle and arrested him.
Ronchi admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without a licence or insurance.
He was sentenced to 16 months in jail suspended for two years at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (8 October). He was also disqualified from driving for three years.
Sergeant James Skeats, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“Ronchi demonstrated a complete disregard for the safety of other road users when he sped through a built-up residential area in such a reckless manner.
“Thankfully no one was injured by his display of driving that night, but that is no thanks to him.
“Ronchi avoided colliding with another vehicle through sheer luck as he drove at excessive speed and along the wrong side of the carriageway for a significant distance.
“He was very fortunate not to suffer serious injury when he lost control of the car and crashed into a safety barrier.
“The message from the force is clear. We will not tolerate people who break the law by driving vehicles in a manner that puts other road users, and themselves, at risk of serious injury or death."