Tom Parrish avoided jail despite ramming 2 police cars. He sought compensation after Sutton Coldfield chase.
Police noticed Parrish’s dirty number plate, which escalated the situation. He panicked to avoid officers because of past drink driving offenses. Parrish was likely drunk, yet a sample delay stopped a DUI charge. Police patrolled Queslett Road around 8:30 pm last January and followed Parrish.
He sped down Thornhill Road, Streetly, reaching 55 mph in a 30 mph zone. Police activated lights and sirens, but Parrish sped through a red light and overtook cars while accelerating. Parrish drove on the wrong side to pass cars at a red light.
He then stopped suddenly and reversed into the police car before speeding off. He stopped again, boxing in the police car, and hit it a second time. The Citroen stalled, and officers pulled Parrish out of the vehicle. He smelled of alcohol.
A breath test indicated alcohol consumption. Following the crashes, he was taken to the hospital but was uncooperative. Parrish stated he didn’t care about the ramming, focusing instead on seeking compensation.
The blood sample delay meant tests were done six hours later. His alcohol level was then under half the limit, so he wasn’t charged with drunk driving. Two officers reported pain and discomfort from the ramming.
Police followed Parrish near Little Aston, towards a pub, with the chase going through multiple roads. Parrish’s prior convictions included drink-driving and driving while disqualified. However, it had been ten years since his last offense.
Parrish has struggled with alcohol and mental health problems. His lawyer stated that he is receiving help, but it’s a difficult process since he lost everything before the driving incident and that he panicked. He lost his job and family and contact with his child.
The judge acknowledged that his driving wasn’t the worst kind and believed Parrish drove dangerously to avoid a DUI charge. The judge also believed Parrish tried to disable the police vehicle.
He decided to give Parrish a chance to improve his life, while acknowledging the shocks that made his life worse. The judge stated that this was not the appropriate way to deal with problems, alluding to the fact “drink played a factor”. An earlier sample might have shown he was over the limit, potentially resulting in a three-year driving ban.
Parrish, from Streetly, admitted dangerous driving and received a suspended 13-month sentence, suspended for 21 months. He needs rehabilitation activity for 30 days, a 12-month mental health requirement, and a two and a half year driving ban.