Ipswich driver admits six charges after fleeing police in tipper truck

The details: Zack High, aged 26, of West Meadows, Ipswich, was spotted by officers driving an Iveco Tipper truck along Civic Drive with an insecure load on Tuesday, 26 August. After officers directed him to follow them, High diverted unexpectedly into Benezet Street, before contravening a 'No Entry' sign and driving the wrong way down Stevenson Street.

A short pursuit took place and the vehicle was located in Handford Road with the assistance of other police units, where the driver was found to have swapped seats with the passenger.

The charges: High was subsequently charged with six offences: driving without due care and attention; driving whilst disqualified; failing to stop for police; driving without insurance; riding in a front passenger seat whilst not wearing a seatbelt; and using a vehicle with a load that was insecure and likely to cause danger.

He was remanded in custody and appeared before Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 27 August, where he pleaded guilty to all six offences.

What's next: He was bailed pending a sentencing hearing to be held at the same court on Thursday, 9 October.

What they're saying: PC Will Hudson, of the Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: "The arrest where the driver failed to stop involved a short pursuit, during which the driver swapped places with the passenger. This is in itself a dangerous action, especially given the insecure load the vehicle was carrying. The officers involved demonstrated great professionalism in safely stopping the vehicle."

The bottom line: The incident occurred during a multi-agency day of action targeting criminals who commit offences across county borders whilst using the road network. The operation involved vehicles identified as being potentially involved in criminality being brought back to a check site in the car park at Sainsbury's on Hadleigh Road.