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Teenager who led police on two car chases jailed

Martin Heath
BBC News, Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire Police Rebian Bilalaj with short brown hair and beard staring at the camera and wearing a light-coloured hoodie in a police custody photo.Northamptonshire Police
Rebian Bilalaj narrowly missed several vehicles and damaged two police cars

An 18-year-old driver who led police on two car chases within three weeks has been sentenced to one year and six months in a young offender institution.

Rebian Bilalaj raced through Northampton town centre and hit a traffic island after escaping from a routine car stop on 7 March.

Northamptonshire Police said he then drove a different vehicle at speeds of up to 100mph, damaging two police cars before he was stopped.

The investigating officer said the roads would be "a safer place without him" while he was in custody.

Northampton Crown Court was told police officers tried to carry out a routine stop on a silver Vauxhall Astra being driven by Bilalaj, from Lutterworth Road in Northampton, in Abington Square.

Bilalaj drove off, speeding through the town centre, ignoring traffic lights and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Officers said he had several near-collisions with other vehicles before hitting a traffic island.

Google Abington Square in Northampton, showing a grass square bordered by a stone wall and flowers. There is a lamppost in front of the square on which a hanging basket is suspended. There are roads around the square, with two and three storey shops to the right of the road. A church is visible in the distance on the left.Google
Police tried to carry out a routine stop on Bilalaj's car in Abington Square

Instead of stopping the damaged car, he joined the main A45 before heading to Standens Barn Road where he lost control and crashed into a roadside barrier.

He escaped from the car but was caught after a short chase on foot.

On 8 March, he appeared before Northampton Magistrates' Court charged with dangerous driving, possession of cannabis and driving without a full licence or insurance.

Google Road junction off a major dual carriageway road. There is a crossing point to the right of the photo where eastbound traffic can cross in front of westbound traffic to enter into the Standens Barns area. Two cars are visible to the left on the main road and one has just turned into the side road. There are trees on either side of the road.Google
Bilalaj turned off the A45 into Standens Barn Road and hit a barrier

While released on conditional bail, he was caught behind the wheel of a Range Rover just before 01:00 GMT on 25 March.

This time, he reached speeds of 100mph and damaged two police cars while trying to escape arrest.

He was charged with another count of dangerous driving and driving without insurance or full licence.

He admitted all the offences and was sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on 23 April.

Google Dual carriageway road with a green sign to the left direction traffic to a turn to Cogenhoe and Great Billing. The heading says GREAT BILLING ROUNDABOUT. A white van is heading away from the camera on the eastbound carriageway while a lorry and cars are visible on the westbound.Google
Bilalaj's second car chase saw him damaging to police cars on the A45 near Ecton Brook

He received one year and six months' imprisonment in a young offender institution for dangerous driving and drug possession.

He was also banned from driving for one year and six months and will have to take an extended retest.

The other driving offences were ordered to stay on the file.

The investigation officer, PC Tom Cottle, said: "Rebian Bilalaj showed a complete disregard for the courts, innocent road users and police by leading us on two dangerous pursuits in the space of three weeks.

"I'm pleased to see Bilalaj has been handed an 18-month prison sentence – our roads are a safer place without him on them."

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