Drunk Driver Jailed After Dangerous Police Chase and Hit-and-Run
Appleton’s reckless joyride finally came to a crashing halt. The 33-year-old was first caught red-handed on 13 July 2020, behind the wheel of a Citroen Picasso. Despite flashing lights and sirens, he sped through Rochester and the Medway towns, swerving wildly and refusing to stop for police.
The chase ended when officers deployed a stinger device on Town Road, Cliffe Woods, shredding Appleton’s tyres and bringing the Citroen to a screeching halt.
Over the Limit and Licence-Free
Tests showed Appleton blew 73 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath—more than double the legal limit of 35. To add insult to injury, the Chatham man had no valid driving licence or insurance.
Back Behind the Wheel and Causing Chaos
Despite being released pending further investigation, Appleton was back behind the wheel on 9 November—this time in a Peugeot. Witnesses saw him speeding and swerving in Gillingham before crashing into two cars on Railway Street. Attempting to flee, he was stopped by an off-duty police officer, who chased him down and pinned him on Ingram Road as Appleton tried to escape on foot clutching a bottle of alcohol.
At custody, he refused a breath test.
13 Months Inside and 3.5 Years Off the Road
Facing the music at Maidstone Crown Court, Appleton pleaded guilty to a string of charges: driving with excess alcohol, failing to provide a breath specimen, failing to stop for police, dangerous and careless driving, driving while disqualified, common assault, and driving without licence or insurance.
The judge handed him 13 months behind bars. Appleton was banned from driving for three and a half years and must pass an extended test before he can hit the road again.
“Appleton’s reckless and selfish behaviour could easily have had fatal consequences,” said investigating officer PC Sophie Lawrie. “His repeated offending shows little regard for public safety, turning vehicles into deadly weapons. I’m pleased the court sent a strong message—there is simply never an excuse to drink and drive.”
