Three-time Ipswich disqualifed driver Akeem Long jailed again
South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court - Credit: Archant
A serial disqualified driver is back behind bars today after driving while banned and causing two motorists to swerve out his way as police tried to stop him.
Akeem Long - Credit: Contributed
Akeem Long, of Samuel Court, Ipswich, admitting driving while disqualified, having no insurance, careless driving, and failing to stop for police when he appeared before the town’s magistrates.
All the offences occurred between Park Road and Norwich Road in Ipswich on June 14.
The 24-year-old, who has never passed his driving test, was seen by a police officer who recognised him as a disqualified driver.
Long was speeding and travelling on the wrong side of the road in a blue Peugeot at around 11.30am.
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Although the officer put his car’s blue lights on Long drove off. Two vehicles had to take evasive action.
The police car had to give up the pursuit when another vehicle pulled out in front of it. Long was arrested later in the day. He had been driving a friend’s car.
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At the time Long was serving a two-year driving ban which he had been given in 2014.
Ian Persaud, representing Long, told the court his client had been released from prison in April 2015.
Mr Persaud said: “He’s found it extremely difficult to find work because of his record.”
Magistrates heard Long had become a father eight weeks ago.
Mr Persaud added: “He’s been making a real effort to mend his ways.
“He feels stupid for having put himself in this position.”
Sentencing Long to 11 weeks’ imprisonment the chairman of the magistrates’ bench said: “This is your third driving while disqualified. You tried to evade police.
“You almost caused an accident. You didn’t stop and had no insurance.”
In addition to his jail term Long was disqualified from driving for a further two years and ordered to pay £115 to the victims’ fund.
In July 2014 Long admitted a string of offences including disqualified driving after crashing during a high-speed night-time police chase through an Ipswich residential area.
Long’s Fiat 500 left the ground as it went over speed bumps, veered across the road, and had a near miss with one vehicle, before colliding with another after running a red light.
Long pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court to dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
The court heard he had been on licence at the time of the offences after serving part of a previous jail term he was given for supplying drugs.
