A man was found in Norwich Road after crashing his car and then abandoning it in the early hours of the morning.
Edward van Bishop managed to evade police for two months after crashing into a brick wall and damaging three parked cars in Highfield Road last September.
On September 22, the 34-year-old was captured on CCTV at around 4.40am, colliding with a brick wall and then a parked car, which in turn was forced into other cars parked in the street.
The driver, who Suffolk Magistrates’ Court heard was clearly identified as van Bishop, got out of the car and left, and passengers were seen fleeing in the direction of Ashcroft Road.
Minutes later, the police stopped four males in Norwich Road. Van Bishop was part of the group, but was “not forthcoming” when asked about the crash.
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Because CCTV was not available instantly, van Bishop was not arrested. This only happened when police caught up with him on December 29.
The court heard van Bishop, formerly of Stanford Street, Lowestoft, was disqualified from driving in 2012 for taking a vehicle without consent “with an element of dangerous driving”, having been banned from getting behind the wheel until he had taken an extended test.
Speaking for van Bishop, David Allan said that his client had genuinely believed he was able to drive, having passed a motorcycle driving test.
Van Bishop was jailed for eight weeks and disqualified from driving for a further 15 months, with this ban also banning him from riding motorbikes. He was ordered to pay compensation of £300 to the owner of one of the damaged cars, as well as court costs of £85 and a £154 surcharge towards victims’ services.
What is an extended driving test?
An extended driving test is a mandatory practical exam for drivers disqualified due to serious offences such as dangerous driving and drink-driving.
The test is longer than the standard driving test, costs more, and lasts 60 to 75 minutes compared with 40 minutes. It also covers more complex scenarios, including compulsory emergency stops.
