VIDEO: Worthing dangerous driver Alan Gale jailed after chase

Alan Gale showed “no regard for life or limb” as he sped through Durrington.

A video shows him fleeing in a silver BMW, hitting 80mph in a 30mph zone as he undertook other cars, and twice ploughing over a grass verge in a bid to get away.

The 38-year-old landscape gardener fled into people’s back gardens and had to be Tasered get him under control.

Shocked residents described how Gale, who was disqualified from driving, lost control of the car, spun and hit a wall, narrowly missing an electric substation in Palatine Road.

One police sergeant said he has never seen the level of “desperation” shown by a driver in a bid to evade capture.

At Lewes Crown Court Gale was jailed for seven months over the incident.

Alan Gale was jailed for dangerous driving over a high-speed police chase in Durrington

The incident happened on July 25 last year.

Footage shows the silver BMW weaving through traffic, and at one point Gale’s car was stuck against a tree.

Officers tried to use captor spray, but he continued on and caused more mayhem.

Four police officers were injured during the chase, which started in Gaisford Road and went through Tarring before ending in Frobisher Close.

At the time, a resident who lives nearby told The Argus: "My son lives in The Boulevard in Worthing, and said police had pulled over a car just outside his home.

“They tried to stop the driver, but this guy just drove off again. He lost control by the roundabout, hit another car and spun out of control.

“He crashed his car, then off he went. He ran off through people’s back gardens and past the houses. He jumped over a neighbours’ fence in Frobisher Close and disappeared.

Alan Gale was jailed for dangerous driving over a high-speed police chase in Durrington

"Police were around and out searching. One of my neighbours checked CCTV and saw this chap jump into bushes and stay hidden two doors down.

"He said to the police ‘that’s where he may be’ and a short while later he was spotted in the bushes.

"The police swarmed on a man and arrested him.

You can read more about the resident’s shock here: Two arrests as man seen 'running through gardens' after high-speed chase

Police Sergeant Chris Bryant from the Tactical Enforcement Unit led the pursuit.

He said: “In my 13 years as a police officer, I have experienced numerous vehicles failing to stop and attempting to flee.

“However I have never seen anyone with the same level of intent and extreme desperation to get away as Gale. His driving was reckless and dangerous, with no regard for life or limb.”

Gale,of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with driving while disqualified, dangerous driving, driving with no insurance, and four counts of assaulting an emergency worker – relating to injuries sustained by officers as they attempted to prevent him from driving off when stuck in The Boulevard.

Alan Gale was jailed for dangerous driving over a high-speed police chase in Durrington

He was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment and banned from driving for 18 months, and must take an extended re-test should he wish to drive again.

Detective Constable Lynette Atkins said: “Gale was clearly intent on evading police, carrying out a number of outrageous manoeuvres and driving at grossly excessive speeds through residential areas.

“This case demonstrates that we will continue to take action against those who misuse the roads, and in particular those who commit the ‘fatal five’ offences – speeding, drink/drug-driving, mobile phone use, not wearing a seatbelt and careless driving – as we strive to reduce the number of fatal and serious injury collisions.”

• For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here. And for the latest from the courts, like our dedicated Facebook group here.