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Michael Chapman jailed after crash in New Road, Sheerness

By: Ellis Stephenson

Published: 11:37, 13 August 2019

Updated: 11:54, 13 August 2019

A dangerous driver who caused serious injuries to a girl after crashing into a tree has been jailed.

Michael Chapman repeatedly drove above the speed limit along the same passage of road in Sheerness before losing control in September 2018.

The 28-year-old, of Second Avenue, Sheerness, denied causing serious injury by dangerous driving but was convicted following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Michael Chapman. Picture: Kent Police

He was sentenced to three years Friday.

The court heard the crash happened in New Road, Sheerness, shortly before midnight on Thursday, September 20, 2018.

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Before the smash, Chapman convinced a woman he was travelling with to let him drive a Vauxhall Zafira despite not having a licence or insurance.

He repeatedly sped up and down a section of New Road before colliding with a tree near the junction with Dorset Road.

He was thought to be going at about 80mph.

The burnt out car. Picture: Kent Police

One of the passengers, a young girl, has a serious leg injury that was initially treated as life threatening.

All passengers were able to get out of the car, which had a problem with its fuel system, before it caught alight.

Investigating officer PC Benjamin Price said: "Chapman made a deliberate and reckless decision to drive the car at high speeds despite not having a licence and drinking a large amount of alcohol.

"In taking control of the car, he accepted a duty to ensure the safety of his passengers and other road users. He flagrantly disregard this duty.

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"His senseless decision caused serious injuries to a young child and it is merely down to chance that there weren’t fatal consequences."

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here

For information on how we can report on court proceedings, click here

Read more: All the latest news from the Isle of Sheppey

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