A 30-year-old man has been banned from driving for four years after a police pursuit involving a stolen van ended with the vehicle crashing into a property in Basingstoke.
Nathan Moroncini, of no fixed home address, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday, August 11, where he pleaded guilty to a series of offenses arising from incidents in May.
He was handed a 20-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, along with a four-year driving disqualification and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.
Pursuit Ends on Residential Street
The most serious incident began on Wednesday, May 20, when Moroncini was driving a stolen Mercedes Sprinter van.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle on the M27, between the A31 and M3, but Moroncini failed to stop for officers.
A pursuit followed, taking officers onto the M3 northbound. Hampshire Police dashcam footage (via DailyEcho) shows Moroncini driving along the highway, the A30 and through parts of Basingstoke.
The pursuit eventually came to an end on Linseed Way, where the Mercedes collided with a property and Moroncini was arrested.
Despite the risks posed during the incident, nobody was injured. Moroncini was charged with dangerous driving, driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed alcohol limit and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
Earlier Van Theft
The court also dealt with an offense committed eight days before the police pursuit.
On Tuesday, May 12, a Vauxhall Vivaro was stolen from Knight Street in Basingstoke.
The van was subsequently found and recovered nearby, and Moroncini was charged with aggravated vehicle taking in connection with the theft.
He pleaded guilty to all of the offenses when he appeared at Winchester Crown Court.
Police Condemn “Reckless and Dangerous” Actions
Following the case, Police Staff Investigator Mike Field, from Basingstoke CID, warned that Moroncini’s actions could have had far more serious consequences.
He said: “Nathan Moroncini’s actions were reckless and dangerous, and this incident could have resulted in people being seriously injured or worse.
“His behavior that day put the lives of other motorists and pedestrians at risk, and this will not be tolerated in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”
Mr. Field added that people who drive stolen vehicles in such a manner should expect police to pursue them and bring them before the courts.