**Tredegar Father Leads Police on Reckless Ten-Minute Pursuit Despite Disabled Vehicle**
A 24-year-old father-of-two from Tredegar put himself and others at significant risk when he led police on a prolonged and hazardous chase, despite his vehicle’s tyres having been punctured by a police stinger device. The pursuit played out across two counties and ended only after the suspect crashed into a police vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
Jordan Barron, of Peacehaven, Tredegar, appeared before Cardiff Crown Court to face a series of charges on the back of the late March incident. The court heard that on the evening of 29 March 2025, Barron was travelling from Dyfed-Powys into the Gwent area when his Ford Fiesta was picked up by officers, sparking a sequence of events that put road users in danger.
During the proceedings, prosecuting counsel Anisha Rai presented dramatic dashcam footage to the court, shedding light on Barron’s disregard for the safety of others and himself. The video captured Barron’s vehicle negotiating roundabouts in the wrong direction, careening over kerbs and bollards, overtaking other cars perilously, running a red light, and persistently driving on the wrong side of the carriageway. With his tyres shredded by the police’s stinger device early in the chase, Barron still attempted to maintain control, while nearby motorists were forced to take evasive action to avoid potential collisions.
It was only when the chase reached an industrial estate that Barron’s run came to an end; his Fiesta collided with a pursuing police car after a further reckless turn around a roundabout. Undeterred, Barron made an attempt to escape on foot. His run, however, was short-lived as officers apprehended him moments later.
When taken into custody, Barron admitted to being fully aware that he was being pursued by the police. Investigators then discovered that he was driving with only a provisional licence and without valid insurance. In statements, Barron reportedly excused the lack of insurance, citing unaffordable costs.
Prosecutor Ms Rai described the incident as “long, persistent and deliberate,” and highlighted the sustained danger to both the public and the officers involved in the chase. The Crown noted Barron’s history of traffic-related offences; since 2016, he has accumulated 12 prior convictions spanning 17 offences, and has already faced driving bans on three previous occasions.
Barron’s defence, presented by Jeffrey Jones, referenced his client’s ongoing mental health challenges and learning disabilities, suggesting these factors contributed to his poor decision-making. Jones described Barron as a person who struggles with emotional regulation and added that he is currently not considered fit for work. Noting Barron’s youth and his responsibilities as a father to two children whom he sees regularly, the defence argued that he now recognises the recklessness of his actions.
Despite the nature of the offences—including dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, and operating a vehicle without a licence or insurance—presiding Judge Wayne Beard opted not to impose an immediate custodial sentence. The judge cited the “extended period of risk” posed by Barron, especially after his car suffered a loss of control caused by the stinger device.
Instead, Barron was handed an 18-month community order, requiring participation in 26 supervision sessions and ten rehabilitation days. Additionally, he was ordered to pay costs totalling £414 and is banned from driving for a further 18 months.
This case serves as a sobering reminder of the persistent risks posed by uninsured, unlicensed and disqualified drivers on British roads, and the challenges police face in apprehending those willing to flout the law so brazenly. The court’s outcome underlines the balance between rehabilitation and accountability, particularly for offenders with acknowledged vulnerabilities and dependants.
Local authorities encourage all drivers to respect road safety regulations and highlight the broader consequences of neglecting mandatory licensing and insurance. As this incident demonstrates, dangerous decisions behind the wheel can have wide-reaching impacts, affecting not just the perpetrator but the community as a whole.