A DISQUALIFIED Westcliff driver who dangerously drove on the wrong site of the road to evade officers during an A127 police pursuit has been jailed.

Adam Bibby of St. James Gardens, in Westcliff, has been jailed less than 24 hours after being arrested.

Essex Police saw a white Transit van travelling along Golden Jubilee Way, in Wickford, on Sunday, when a check on the registration indicated an owner older than the man who was driving.

As they signalled for the driver to stop, the Transit overtook them and headed towards Nevendon Road.

Officers say the driver then weaved dangerously through the traffic before driving on the wrong side of the road, into oncoming traffic.

The driver then made his way down the A127 and decamped after parking on a grass verge.

Undeterred, one of Essex Police Road Crime Team officers who had followed the van, ran after him, and detained him at the rear of a petrol garage.

Enquiries at the scene discovered the vehicle was on false plates and had been reported stolen from Harlow in December 2023.

Furthermore, the driver was a disqualified driver.

Adam Bibby, 31, was charged later that same evening with several offences and remanded in custody overnight to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to all charges at his first court appearance, including driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving and no insurance.

Adam Bibby was jailed for 26 weeks and disqualified from driving for two years for the charges of driving whilst disqualified and dangerous driving.

PC Paul Simmons said: “Due to some quick thinking by the team that something was amiss, Adam Bibby was quickly arrested, and swift justice has been achieved.

“In just 24 hours he was arrested and imprisoned after he admitted his guilt.

“He tried to evade arrest by going on a dangerous drive through the Wickford area, placing himself and other road users at risk, but he didn’t consider how his dangerous driving affected others.”

The owner of the stolen van will be reunited with their vehicle, thanks to the Road Crime Team officers’ diligence.

No separate penalty was issued for a third charge of driving without insurance.