Disqualified Derby driver did 70mph on 20mph road as he tried to flee police in Bramcote

The judge said the defendant only had 'good fortune' to thank that he didn't hit anyone

A reckless and already disqualified driver reached speeds of more than 70mph on a 20mph road when he led police on a wild chase through the streets of a Nottinghamshire village. Billy Ronchi, 22 and from Derby, was was spotted by officers driving erratically on Derby Road in Bramcote just after 9pm on Thursday, January 18, 2024.

An unmarked police vehicle began following the defendant's red Seat Toledo, at which point he turned into a 20mph side road and pulled over when indicated to. But as an officer left the car, Ronchi sped away. The officer ran back to his vehicle and turned on the emergency sirens, engaging in a pursuit.

Ronchi hit speeds of more than 70mph in roads with both 20mph and 40mph limits and almost collided with a van and an oncoming car. He went through red lights and over a roundabout before braking to avoid colliding with an HGV.

He then proceeded to speed down the wrong side of the carriageway on Coventry Lane, leading towards Stapleford, before colliding head-on with a metal barrier, sending his car spinning back into the road. He was arrested at the scene.

Ronchi, of Baker Street, Alvaston, Derby, had been disqualified from driving in early 2023 after being caught driving while over the legal alcohol limit. He later told police he thought this disqualification had expired after six months, and said he hadn't realised it was a 14-month long disqualification.

The court heard how Ronchi had allegedly also only bought the car that night an hour earlier and had a 15-year-old passenger in the car. His lack of licence also meant he was not insured to drive, and the icy weather conditions on the night meant his actions were even more dangerous than they would've been otherwise.

The defendant appeared at Nottingham Crown Court, sitting at Nottingham Magistrates Court, on Tuesday, October 8. Recorder Michael Stephens handed him a 16-month sentence suspended for two years.

He told Ronchi: "At the age of 22 you have already got one conviction under your belt. That's not a good start to anyone's criminal career. It seems you are lucky to find yourself with only a dangerous driving charge.

"From the way you were driving, you could've ended up with a charge of causing serious injury or even death. You went at extraordinary speed. How no one else was involved in the collision is only thanks to good fortune, it seems to me. This was a stupid, wrong and impulsive piece of behaviour."

Ronchi was also disqualified from driving for three years, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to attend 14 days of rehabilitation, as well as ordered to pay £150 costs and a victim surcharge.