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Watch Cambridgeshire police chase dangerous driver who sped off with child and five dogs then hid in a ditch




A dangerous driver has been sentenced after he led Cambridgeshire police on a nine-mile chase through the countryside.

David Chulk, 43, had a young boy, five dogs and two other men in the car when he drove across fields and farm tracks in attempt to evade pursuing officers.

They eventually found them hiding in a water-filled ditch.

Chalk came to police attention when they received a report of hare coursing in Forty Foot Bank, Ramsey, just before 2pm on Wednesday, February 6 last year.

Within minutes an officer from the force’s Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) arrived in the area and spotted a car that travelled towards him in Ramsey Hollow Drove, before turning off onto The Hollow.

The officer followed the Subaru Forester, but it began to accelerate away. When the officer turned on the sirens, the car failed to stop and the pursuit began.

Chulk sped in the Subaru along farm tracks before joining Forty Foot Bank, where the officer caught up and moved alongside. But Chalk braked, turned around and drove off in the opposite direction - but not before the officer was able to get a look at him.

The Subaru was driven through a private garden before going off road and across a ploughed field.

The officer then saw Chulk, two other men and a child abandon the car, which was carrying five dogs.

Cambridgeshire police chase David Chulk, 43, of Laleham Road, Shepperton, Middlesex, in Ramsey (43400704)
Cambridgeshire police chase David Chulk, 43, of Laleham Road, Shepperton, Middlesex, in Ramsey (43400704)

A team of officers began a search, and eventually spotted a dog in a water-filled ditch.

As officers tried to retrieve the animal, Chulk and a young boy emerged from behind a curtain of undergrowth in the water.

They had been crawling along the bottom of the ditch in an attempt to stay hidden.

Chulk, of Laleham Road, Shepperton, Middlesex, identified himself and the officer recognised him as the driver of the Subaru, which was seized.

At the scene, Chulk initially denied driving the car but was reported for the offence and later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

He was sentenced on Tuesday to five months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and was disqualified from driving for two years at Peterborough Crown Court on Tuesday (December 1). He will also have to take an extended retest and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

David Chulk, 43, of Laleham Road, Shepperton, Middlesex, abandoned the car in a field
David Chulk, 43, of Laleham Road, Shepperton, Middlesex, abandoned the car in a field

Det Con Tom Nuttall, from the RCAT, said: "Chulk's driving was highly dangerous and showed a complete disregard for the safety of his passengers and all other motorists around him.

“Despite attempts to evade us, the meticulous searches carried out by the RCAT led to him being caught and reported.

“We will continue to do all we can to help keep our rural spaces safe and bring offenders before the courts.”


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