Watch: Woman jailed after police chase through Luton
A woman sped through Luton and ignored red lights during a police chase has been jailed.
Sophie Hicks, aged 48, was driving through the town on October 14 when her car was flagged by police on patrol as having cloned registration plates.
An unmarked police car followed her from Icknield Way, Luton, onto the A6 towards the town centre – where they used a stinger in a bid to get her to stop.
But Hicks instead sped off – breaking the speed limit, ignoring red lights at a major junction and carrying out dangerous manoeuvres that forced other drivers to swerve to avoid collisons.
The chase eventually ended after police boxed her car in, forcing it to stop.
And police discovered Hicks was already disqualified from driving and was wanted for two separate instances of failing to appear in relation to disqualified driving.
Hicks, of Horsemead Piece, Winslow, was charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.
She appeared at Luton Crown Court on November 6 and was sentenced to 16 months behind bars.
Sergeant Dan Cook from Bedfordshire Police's Roads Policing Unit said: "Hicks showed a complete disregard for the safety of everyone around her that day. Her decision to flee from officers and drive at speed through busy roads, including ignoring traffic signals, created a significant risk to other motorists, pedestrians and members of the public.
"Those using our roads have a responsibility to drive safely and lawfully. Hicks not only chose to drive dangerously, but did so while disqualified and uninsured, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the law. We welcome the custodial sentence handed down by the court and hope it serves as a warning to others who think they can evade police and put lives at risk."