A pub-goer has had a lucky escape, and an all-time great finishing shot in a game of pool, as he potted the final ball at the same time as a 4x4 crashed through the wall behind him.
Police had been involved in a high-speed chase with 37-year-old Jamie Kettle, who had stolen a Landrover Discovery, until he slammed into The Lockside Pub in Worksop in Nottinghamshire.
Officers were responding to reports of the stolen vehicle when the chase began, with Kettle reaching speeds of 110mph and overtaking vehicles and running red lights at high speed.
Kettle was subsequently charged with aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance, criminal damage to the pub, and two counts of theft from a shop, committed in Harworth on 22 February and 2 March 2023.
He was jailed for a total of two years and banned from driving for three years and three months.
Sergeant Clint Gloyn, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Kettle’s dangerous and erratic driving showed utter disregard for the safety of others.
“He continued to drive at speed in highly populated built-up areas before crashing into the pub. There were numerous people inside the pub at the time and also walking through the town centre. Extensive structural damage was caused to the pub but thankfully no-one was injured.
“I’m glad we were able to bring this case before the courts and show that this type of criminality is unacceptable and offenders who put other people’s safety at risk in this way will be robustly dealt with.”
