A “FAMILY man” was told he could have deprived children of their parents when he caused “extreme danger” by driving the wrong way along the A12 at high speed.

Gregory Taylor, 35, who has a long history of flouting driving bans, fled police at speeds of up to 110mph in a BMW.

Ipswich Crown Court heard police spotted the car leaving Stane Retail Park, in Stanway, at around 6.40pm on August 14 this year.

The driver, Taylor, who had two passengers, collided with the side of a police vehicle blocking his path before making off at speed towards the A12.

During the ensuing chase, Taylor, of Willow Walk, Tiptree, rocketed along the A12, undertaking vehicles at 110mph and overtaking cars by mounting a grass verge.

Leaving the A12 at junction 27, he drove around the Spring Lane roundabout before attempting to head the wrong way down a sliproad.

Gazette: Gregory TaylorGregory Taylor (Image: Essex Police)

Simon Gladwell, prosecuting, said: “The police attempted contact with the vehicle in an attempt to stop it, this tactic fails and the BMW collides with an Audi, causing damage.”

After the crash, Taylor fled against the flow of traffic, joining the A12 and travelling south on the northbound carriageway.

Driving at “extremely high speed”, he caused “extreme danger” to road users as he headed into oncoming traffic, travelling almost three miles before crashing into some bushes.

The three occupants of the BMW fled, but Taylor was identified as the driver and arrested.

He admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop to give his details following an accident, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.

He admitted a further 13 charges in relation to driving offences committed on four separate occasions this year, including four counts of driving whilst disqualified, four counts of driving without insurance, two counts of careless driving, two counts of drug driving and one count of possessing cannabis.

Sentencing Taylor to two years imprisonment, Judge David Pugh said: “There was a police chase in excess of 110mph, overtaking on a grass verge at 100mph.

“You drove against traffic, causing extreme danger.

“You have prayed in aid you’re a family man.

“There could have been cars with children in them coming the other way. You could have deprived children, perhaps, of a mother of father, or grandparents.”

Taylor was banned from driving for four years.

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