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Prolific Cambridge thief who rammed police car in effort to evade justice jailed




A prolific offender from Cambridge who rammed a police car as he desperately attempted to evade justice has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Jimmy Willett, 22, arranged to buy a Renault Clio car via Facebook and agreed to meet the seller at Tesco Express, in Chesterton High Street, on January 13, 2019.

He paid £650 in counterfeit £50 notes and the seller subsequently reported the car stolen.

Jimmy Willett, 22,of Frank’s Lane, Chesterton, was jailed for three-and-a-half years.on November 11, 2022. (60765775)
Jimmy Willett, 22,of Frank’s Lane, Chesterton, was jailed for three-and-a-half years.on November 11, 2022. (60765775)

Willett, of Frank’s Lane, Chesterton, was spotted on January 17 driving the Clio on the A10, near Chittering, and officers caught up with him at the Milton Interchange, where they attempted to stop him.

He drove off, ramming the police car and almost knocking over an officer before continuing into Milton.

He sped at more than twice the 30mph limit in Cambridge Road and collided with an Audi TT as he tried to overtake it. The pursuit ended when Willett crashed into a tree in Ely Road.

He was arrested and bailed before being charged in December 2020.

While court proceedings progressed, Willett went on a stealing spree in Milton, Cambridge and Fordham:

  • He took two bottles of AU Vodka worth £66 from Tesco in Milton on March 5.
  • He stole four bottles of Prosecco worth £28 from the Co-op in Milton Road, Cambridge on March 10.
  • A bike belonging to a staff member at the Post Office in High Street, Bottisham, was stolen on April 10.
  • On April 17, Willett went into the Co-op, in Carter Street, Fordham, and stole spirits worth about £300. Three days later he entered the shop with two accomplices and attempted to steal £150 of spirits but left empty-handed.

Willett, of was jailed for three years and six months at Cambridge Crown Court, having been found guilty of theft of a motor vehicle, tendering counterfeit currency, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and possession of counterfeit currency.

Willett pleaded guilty to the thefts.

He was also convicted of offences outside the county, including dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving with no insurance, criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker.

Det Con Luke Pedlar said: “Willett is a prolific and dangerous offender who chose to put innocent people in danger when he drove so recklessly in an attempt to escape justice.

“The sentence reflects the seriousness and sheer number of offences he’s committed in the space of just a few years.”



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