Michael Chiedu Nwanze. Photo credit: Northamptonshire Police

A Nigerian man, Michael Chiedu Nwanze, has been sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment in the United Kingdom after leading police on a high-speed chase through Northampton in a bid to evade arrest.

Nwanze, 23, was jailed by Northampton Crown Court after admitting to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and failing to stop for police.

According to a statement released by  Northamptonshire Police on Thursday, officers had attempted to stop Nwanze on March 10 after the vehicle he was driving was flagged as uninsured.

Instead of pulling over, he accelerated away, weaving through Northampton streets before joining the A45, where the pursuit continued towards Wellingborough.

Police said Nwanze repeatedly ignored traffic lights, drove at speeds of up to 70mph in 40mph zones and exceeded 100mph on the dual carriageway, putting other motorists and pedestrians at risk.

His attempt to escape came to an end near the Wilby Way roundabout after he became trapped in heavy traffic and crashed into several vehicles while trying to force his way through.

Officers then boxed in his car and arrested him at the scene.

Nwanze pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court in April and was sentenced in June.

Reacting to the conviction, the investigating officer, PC Thomas Williams of Northamptonshire Police’s Roads Policing Team, described the defendant’s conduct as reckless.

“Nwanze’s actions that day showed a complete disregard for the safety of other road users and pedestrians,” Williams said.

The officer said the 23-year-old drove at excessive speeds, ignored traffic signals and endangered “countless people” in a desperate attempt to avoid arrest.

“Dangerous driving of this nature can have devastating consequences, and it is only by good fortune that nobody was seriously injured as a result of his behaviour that day,” he added.

Williams vowed that officers would continue targeting motorists who flout road traffic laws.

“We will continue to proactively target those who use our roads illegally and dangerously, and I hope this sentence sends a clear message that this type of offending will not be tolerated.”

The conviction is the latest in a string of cases involving Nigerians sentenced by UK courts. In recent months, Nigerian student Anderson Ishiekwene was jailed for child grooming offences, while Anthony Ikenwe and Kevin Nwamma were convicted over a £5m cryptocurrency fraud scheme. Another Nigerian national was also sentenced to seven years in prison in Scotland over a domestic stabbing.

Watch video here:

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝟏𝟑 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐊

Credit: YouTube | Northamptonshire Police
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