Daniel Hodgkinson (37), from Norton, received a two-year jail sentence at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court last Thursday (20 June).
On 3 April this year, Hodgkinson attempted to force a woman out of her car while she was parked at traffic lights on Knypersley Road.
When this didn’t work, Hodgkinson smashed the window of a property on Knypersley Road with a glass bottle. He entered the property and lifted the keys to the black Peugeot that was parked on the drive.
He then drove off in the Peugeot. He was witnessed constantly changing directions, U-turning on the pavement, and driving erratically on the road. At one point he reversed into a taxi on Chell Heath Road, Chell. The taxi had to be written off.
Staffordshire Police approached Hodgkinson at the Cumberbatch Avenue and Hambro Place junction in Fegg Hayes.
He attempted to escape but was stopped by another police car. While being arrested, Hodgkinson swung a screwdriver at a police officer. Luckily, no serious injury was caused.
The criminal later admitted to a series of offences, including driving a motor vehicle dangerously, criminal damage, burglary, theft, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, failing to stop after a road accident, driving a motor vehicle without third-party insurance, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
Detective Inspector Nathan Hough stated: “Hodgkinson’s reckless actions on 3 April put many people’s lives in danger and caused a great deal of distress to people in the area.”
Experienced writer and journalist James McKean leads the daily editorial output at StaffsLive. To contact him, email news@staffslive.co.uk
