A CAERPHILLY man was told he has run out of chances after leading police on an extended chase and driving on the wrong side of a dual carriageway - two months after being banned from driving.

Declan Nisbeck-Jefferies, 22, of Pontymister, was spotted driving the wrong way down the A472 between Ystrad Mynach and Maesycwmmer at around 9.20am on October 10.

As officers followed him, he continued on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, and went the wrong way around a roundabout.

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When officers attempted to pull Nisbeck-Jefferies over, he led them on a six-minute pursuit, during which he clipped a Volvo. He jumped from his car, leaving it to roll into a parked car, and tried to escape down an alleyway.

Officers later found him hiding behind a hot tub in a garden backing onto the alley, smelling of alcohol and with two small packages of cannabis on him.

Tom Roberts, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court the defendant had been banned from driving for a year in 2020, and then again for three-and-a-half years in August this year for offences on the same stretch of road.

“He is still immature and this was a case that included immaturity,” said Jeffrey Jones, defending. “There was a lack of consequential thinking.

“He fully takes responsibility. There is some shame.”

Mr Jones told the court that the defendant suffered with depression, anxiety, social anxiety, and was taking medication for ADHD.

“He wants help,” said Mr Jones. “He was doing well on the community order, and said he will continue with it if granted one last chance.”

Addressing the defendant, Recorder IWL Jones said “I am told you want one last chance. The court has given you a chance over and over.

“You had been disqualified for a long time. You should not have been anywhere near a car.

“They are a lethal weapon if they are driven dangerously.

“I’ve seen the footage, parts of it are frightening. Parts of it amounted to nothing short of bullying [other road users].

“I would most certainly not be doing my job if I did not impose a prison sentence on you today.”

Nisbeck-Jefferies was sentenced to 12 months in prison for dangerous driving, and banned from driving for four-and-a-half years.

For driving whilst disqualified, possessing a controlled drug of Class B - cannabis, and failing to provide a specimen when required, he was handed a four month sentence for each offence, running concurrently, while for breaching a community order, he got two months – running concurrently.

He must also take an extended driving test to regain his licence, and must pay a £156 surcharge.