**Disqualified Driver Attempts to Flee Police, Ends Up Hiding in Bush**
A 51-year-old man from Church Village found himself in further trouble with the law after a desperate, high-speed effort to escape police ended with him crouching in a bush. The incident unfolded on Sunday, 6th April 2025, when Dean John, already banned from driving, was spotted by South Wales Police driving erratically in Nantgarw.
Police officers patrolling Oxford Street noticed a white Peugeot van shooting past them at an alarming speed. Immediately suspicious, they manoeuvred their vehicle to trail the van. When officers indicated for the driver to pull over, it initially appeared John was going to comply.
Instead, witnesses say he chose to accelerate, sparking a brief but dangerous pursuit. During the chase, John ran multiple red lights, crossed over lanes dangerously, and exceeded the legal speed limit by more than double in some areas. His attempts to evade capture highlighted the very risks the driving ban sought to prevent.
The chase reached an abrupt halt when John inadvertently cornered himself in a dead-end street. Realising he had nowhere left to go, he abandoned the van and on foot, made a last-ditch attempt to escape by hiding in a nearby bush. However, police officers quickly located him and arrested him at the scene.
Upon arrest, officers discovered John was not only disqualified from driving but was also operating the vehicle without valid insurance. Furthermore, during subsequent procedures, John refused to provide a specimen for analysis—an offence taken seriously by law enforcement, given its implications for drink and drug-driving investigations.
John was charged with multiple offences, including dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, using a motor vehicle without insurance, failing to stop for police, and failing to provide a specimen. He was brought before Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court two days later, where he pleaded guilty to all charges.
In court, the presiding magistrates noted the recklessness and disregard for public safety John exhibited. As a result, he was handed a custodial sentence of one year. Additionally, his driving ban was extended by a further five years, reinforcing the clear message that those who flout motoring laws and court orders can expect zero tolerance from the judiciary.
Cases like this serve as a stark reminder of the grave consequences that careless and illegal driving behaviours can have—not only for motorists themselves but for innocent members of the public. South Wales Police have reiterated their commitment to tackling dangerous driving and taking repeat offenders off the road.
“Disqualified drivers pose a serious risk to all road users,” a police spokesperson said following the verdict. “We will continue to target those who show utter disregard for driving bans and the safety of others.”
It is clear that enforcement and sentencing remain vital in addressing such behaviour, protecting communities, and deterring others from similar actions. Dean John’s case is likely to linger in the minds of those contemplating ignoring court-imposed driving bans, illustrating just how vigilant, and ultimately successful, local policing efforts continue to be.