Thief rammed police cars in boss's stolen pickup during 115mph chase from Reading to Lincolnshire

Darrell Duddin
Darrell Duddin was eventually brought to a stop in Lincolnshire. Credit: Lincolnshire Police

A thief who stole his boss's pickup truck while they were away together on a work trip before ramming police cars during a 115mph chase has been jailed.

Darrell Duddin, 29, from Lincoln, was staying with colleagues at a rental property in Reading when he took the keys to his employer's Ford Ranger and climbed out of a bedroom window on 22 October.

He sped off when police tried to stop him on the A46 Coventry Eastern Bypass, taking officers on a pursuit along the M69.

Duddin drove at over 100mph, skipping red lights, before travelling along the M1 towards Nottinghamshire.

Darrell Duddin climbed out of a window after stealing keys to the car. Credit: Lincolnshire Police

Police tried to box him in on the A46, but Duddin rammed one of their cars off the road.

He continued to drive at speed, while being pursued by Leicestershire Police and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter.

Despite sustaining a puncture when officers used a stinger device, Duddin carried on driving, leaving a trail of sparks and chunks of metal in his wake.

He was ultimately stopped in Lincolnshire when officers blocked his path, forcing him to drive into the back of a police car.

Duddin fled the vehicle and ran into the opposite carriageway, where he was arrested. He was found with a knife.

Duddin was tracked by the police helicopter. Credit: Lincolnshire Police

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance and possessing a knife in a public place and was jailed for 18 months.

Insp Jason Baxter, of Lincolnshire's Roads Policing Team, said: “I am very relieved that no one was seriously injured through Duddin’s complete disregard for safety. He drove dangerously at excessive speeds, intentionally ramming two police cars and put road users and officers at risk.

“We were able to bring an exceptionally dangerous and disqualified driver to a halt. It’s credit to all of the officers involved, including our colleagues in NPAS."

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