A 20-year-old man has been jailed after an astonishing pursuit through Cwmbran, during which he crashed into a bus full of passengers and a truck transporting gas canisters while under the influence of drugs. The dramatic incident, which unfolded in April, left authorities and members of the public deeply concerned over the potential consequences of the defendant’s reckless actions.
McKenzie Newberry, from Maesglas Crescent in Newport, was behind the wheel of a stolen Volkswagen Golf with tampered number plates at the time of the police chase. Using dangerous speeds and brazen disregard for public safety, Newberry sped through residential streets in the Llantarnam area at more than twice the legal speed limit, even reaching up to 80mph in one 30mph zone. Police in pursuit were reportedly forced to reach speeds of nearly 90mph to keep Newberry within sight.
According to information presented at Cardiff Crown Court, Newberry’s driving caused multiple motorists to take evasive action as he overtook vehicles and tore through the area. The chase ended abruptly when the Golf smashed into both a truck – which was carrying hazardous gas canisters – and a passenger bus. Miraculously, there were no reports of serious injuries, a fact that has been noted as little short of remarkable considering the circumstances.
After the collision, Newberry attempted to flee the scene on foot. He was pursued by both a member of the public from the truck and responding police officers. A police dog was deployed in the ensuing search, and Newberry was eventually located hiding in a pipe within a nearby wooded area, where he was duly arrested.
A subsequent search of the stolen Volkswagen Golf yielded a further disturbing discovery: inside, officers found a large machete of the so-called ‘zombie’ style, featuring a blade over half a metre in length. Testing revealed that Newberry was under the influence of cocaine at the time of the incident, adding to the list of offences committed. The car was later confirmed as stolen from an address in Neath and was using cloned number plates to evade detection.
At his sentencing, Newberry pleaded guilty to multiple charges including drug driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, possession of an offensive weapon, use of cloned number plates, and driving without the required licence or insurance. The court also heard that Newberry already had a prior record for similar offences, highlighting a worrying pattern in his behaviour.
Representing Newberry at the hearing, defence solicitor Julia Cox told the court her client had been held in custody since his arrest several months ago. Newberry reportedly wrote a letter to the court expressing remorse for his actions, stating he understood that his behaviour had put others at risk and caused significant distress.
Judge Daniel Williams, presiding over sentencing, handed down a custodial sentence of 14 months in prison. Newberry was also banned from driving for 12 months upon his release, a measure aimed at further deterring him from endangering the public in future.
This alarming case has sparked renewed calls for vigilance regarding the theft of vehicles and the dangers posed by drivers under the influence of drugs. Local residents and commuters have expressed relief that the situation did not result in greater tragedy, while police have reiterated their commitment to clamping down on dangerous driving and the carrying of weapons.
The disturbing presence of a zombie knife in the vehicle underscores wider concerns about bladed weapons and their prevalence in the region. Authorities continue to encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour on the roads or suspects the theft of a vehicle to contact police immediately.
Newberry’s sentence serves as a stark reminder of the potentially catastrophic consequences when dangerous driving, drug misuse, and illegal weapons possession intersect on the roads of Wales.