Market Deeping man Tracy Hercules said he was a ‘bit of an idiot’ after Ford Transit van travelled at 100mph along A15

A Market Deeping man who collided with a police car after reaching 100mph during a five minute chase was today (Wednesday) given a suspended jail sentence.

Tracy Hercules (24) tested positive for both cocaine and cannabis after trying to evade two unmarked police cars during the early hours of 12 January this year.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the transit van being driven by Hercules came to the attention of police near the roundabout of the A15 and the A1175.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said officers illuminated their lights and sirens and pursued Hercules who reached 100mph before slowing to 80mph in the village of Baston.

Mr Howes said police deployed a stinger device which left one of the van tyres smoking and shredded, but Hercules continued to drive for at least another mile.

The van was seen weaving from side to side and struck one of the police cars after the van was boxed in.

Hercules was detained by being tasered after running towards a nearby property and provided positive swipes for both cocaine and cannabis.

The court heard Hercules was previously previously jailed for eight months in April 2021 after he again drove at 110mph in a 25 minute pursuit to evade police.

On that occasion Hercules was banned from driving for 22 months and ordered to take an extended driving test.

Hercules, of Wellington Way, Market Deeping, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and in accordance with a licence, and two offences of driving over the prescribed drug limit on 12 January, 2023.

In interview Hercules admitted "being an idiot" after buying the van just a week earlier.

In mitigation the court heard Hercules was at rock bottom on the anniversary of his mother's death when he saw the police cars and realised he should not have been driving.

His collision with the unmarked police car was described as reckless rather than deliberate.

The court was told Hercules also had a young family who relied on him financially and emotionally, and was also working for a landscaping company who were aware of his offending.

Passing sentence Judge James House KC told Hercules it was almost inevitable that he would collide with a police vehicle after he continued to drive following deployment of the stinger.

Judge House said Hercules also had a significant record for motoring offences and was not a lawful driver as he had not passed an extended driving test following his previous disqualifiion.

But Judge House said custody had not worked as a deterrent in the previous offence, and he also had to take into account the prospect of rehabilitation and how full the prisons are.

"Most unusually I am going to give you a chance Mr Hercules, but there won't be a second chance," Judge House said.

Hercules was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and also banned from driving for two years.

He must also complete 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and 180 hours of work in the community.

During the previous incident in March 2021, Hercules was driving a car when a police vehicle approached with its blue flashing lights and siren on.

The police car was on its way to an unrelated incident but Hercules mistakenly believed officers were interested in him, and sped off.

Hercules pulled out in front of the police car and then drove at 110mph in a 60-limit area in a bid to get away.

He was then involved in a 25-minute pursuit, going through two red traffic lights and causing other drivers to take evasive action to avoid a collision. At one point he smashed into a traffic bollard.

Smoke was coming from the tyres but Hercules continued driving through Baston at 60mph, causing fear to two pedestrians.

Police deployed a stinger device in a bid to stop him but he drove through it and again reached 100mph before losing control of his car and ending up in a ditch.

Hercules emerged uninjured and was arrested soon afterwards.