Uninsured driver Ben Robson, 24, of Chipstead Close, was clocked by police whilst driving a VW Golf on Nottingham Road, Croydon, in March 2023.
When an unmarked police car pulled alongside him on the residential street Robson “panicked” and drove at speed onto the pavement in an attempt to escape, Croydon Crown Court heard.
As he did so a police car shunted into him, bringing him to a stop on the pavement.
When he was arrested police found Robson was in possession of a quantity of cannabis.
Robson later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and appeared in court for sentencing on Wednesday (January 29).
Recorder Philip Kolvin KC opted to give Robson a community order rather than a custodial sentence, explaining: “You were young at the time, relatively immature and have no previous convictions.”
He must complete 100 hours of unpaid work during his 18-month community order.
Recorder Kolvin also banned Robson from driving for 18 months, telling him: ” The message needs to be sent that you can’t drive this way whilst trying to get away from police officers, that’s how people die.”
