Drug-driver Yusef Tetouani from Burghfield led police on terrifying chase through residential streets

A DRIVER, high on drugs, led police on a terrifying, high speed car chase through residential streets.

Other motorists slammed on their brakes to avoid the Audi A3 as it careered across junctions without stopping, almost striking parked vehicles on either side.

Police eventually cornered their quarry in a dead end street, blocking him in before smashing the windows and handcuffing him.

In the dock at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday, March 20, was Yusef Tetouani.

The 23-year-old, of Acorn Gardens, Burghfield Common, had what was described as a large quantity of cannabis in the vehicle and had consumed twice the specified limit of the Class B-controlled drug before getting behind the wheel.

Victory Abang, prosecuting, said police illuminated their blue lights after their attention was drawn to Tetouani’s Audi in the Burghfield area.

But instead of pulling over, he sped off.

Mr Abang added: “He accelerated along Recreation Road, overtaking other road users in excess of the speed limit.”

Tetouani hurtled over speed bumps and careened down School Lane, causing other motorists to perform emergency stops to avoid him, the court heard.

Mr Abang went on: “He nearly had a collision with a parked Tesco van.”

Police eventually cornered Tetouani in Blue Bell Drive, blocking him in.

In police dashcam footage screened in court, an officer tells a colleague: “Prepare for decamp; prepare for decamp.”

They then smash the Audi’s windows and handcuff the driver.

The court heard that, such a large quantity of cannabis was found in the vehicle that Tetouani is currently under investigation for suspected drug dealing.

Mr Abang concluded: “This was a case of prolonged and persistent dangerous driving involving highly dangerous manoeuvres at speeds significantly in excess of the limit.”

Tetouani admitted driving dangerously, drug-driving and driving without insurance on April 26 last year.

He also has 10 previous convictions for offences including assault, assault causing actual bodily harm, possessing a prohibited weapon, failing to comply with court orders and driving without insurance.

Sasha Queffurus, defending, said her client’s young age was perhaps the most significant mitigating factor.

Tetouani was immature and had been acting impulsively, she added.

Ms Queffurus said he had, nevertheless, now realised the potential consequences of his actions.

She conceded: “This was appalling driving behaviour; luckily – and it was sheer luck – there were no pedestrians involved.”

Judge Sarah Campbell said that “real tragedies” can result from drug-driving and noted that Tetouani had consumed twice the specified limit of cannabis before driving.

She told him: “You’re extremely fortunate a more serious offence wasn’t committed.”

A probation officer had assessed Tetouani as a ‘medium risk’ in regards of reoffending, the court heard.

Nevertheless, said Judge Campbell, she felt she was “just able” to suspend the inevitable prison sentence.

Tetouani was sentenced 10 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

In addition, he was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work and up to 35 days of rehabilitation activity.

Next, Tetouani was required to pay £150 costs, plus a statutory victim services surcharge.

Finally, he was banned from driving for 18 months.