Pub Chaos as Land Rover Ploughs Into Worksop Boozer
Shocked punters were enjoying drinks and pool at The Lockside pub in Worksop when a Land Rover Discovery crashed straight into the building.
Driver Flees and Dives Into Canal
Thirty-seven-year-old Jamie Kettle bolted from the crash scene and plunged into a nearby canal in a desperate bid to shake off the cops. But specialist dog units tracked him down quickly, and he was arrested on the spot.
High-Speed Police Chase Ends in Pub Smash
Police had been hunting the stolen Land Rover after reports from Woodthorpe. Officers spotted Kettle racing along the A614 and followed him as he sped towards Worksop.
Ignoring a 60mph limit, Kettle hit speeds up to 110mph. He weaved dangerously, overtaking at breakneck speed and blowing through red lights before losing control and smashing into the pub wall on 27 March 2023.
Criminal Record Stretches Back Months
- Kettle, from Thoresby Close, Harworth, faced multiple charges: aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance, and criminal damage to the pub.
- He also admitted two counts of theft from shops in Harworth, committed earlier in February and March.
- At Nottingham Crown Court on 8 December 2023, he pleaded guilty to all counts.
Violence and Intimidation Add to Crime Sheet
Kettle wasn’t just a reckless driver. He admitted assaulting two emergency workers in September 2022, brutally bending back an officer’s finger and spitting at another during a police callout in Bircotes.
He also pleaded guilty to witness intimidation after threatening to burn down a house in Retford in June 2022.
Jail and Driving Ban for Danger Driver
Jamie Kettle was sentenced to two years behind bars. He received a driving ban lasting over three years and must pass an extended driving test before getting back on the road.
