Jail for thieving pig farmer who stole trailer and rammed police in 'dangerous' chase

Pughe then raced on major A roads and through villages with sparks flying in his wake after police burst his tyres with a stinger.

CCTV footage was played to Mold Crown Court of Pughe brazenly driving onto a field in a Nissan X-Trail on the night of April 5 this year, while his accomplice hooked up the trailer belonging to the Morris's.

The family had become suspicious after seeing a drone in the area on a previous day.

When the theft was happening, Margaret Morris, who owns the farm with her husband, heard some noise from the field and thought it might have been her son Rowland.

She phoned him and when it became clear it wasn't him in the field, he made his way down there and saw Pughe driving off. He phoned 999 and followed from a distance.

Police took over the pursuit, which took in the Welshpool area, Oswestry Gobowen, Llangollen and Wrexham. As well as rural villages, Pughe led police on the A5, A483 and A5104 in a chase that lasted more than an hour.

Footage was shown to the court of Pughe weaving past parked cars as sparks flew up from the trailer, and of him reversing directly at police on a single-track country lane. The trailer ended up careering up an embankment before Pughe charged ahead again to continue his getaway attempt.

During the chase Pughe's accomplice got out and made a run for it. Eventually Pughe got out and tried to do the same but was arrested by officers.

Mr Morris said in an impact statement that he was "on edge" when following Pughe and worried he may have been seen. He added that he was worried about repercussions and wants to keep his children safe.

Pughe, of Glascoed Road, Bwlchgwyn Wrexham, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and theft. He has three previous convictions for eight offences, including taking a vehicle without consent, driving without due care and attention, criminal damage and common assault.

His lawyer told the court that Pughe "regrets" his actions and he "foolishly accepted a proposal" from someone else to go and steal the trailer to help with his cash struggles.

Judge Nic Parry told Pughe: "The courts in North Wales will protect farmers and the rural community.

"I am not going to sentence you on the basis that you put a drone above that property, but you knew exactly where to go and where the trailer was.

"It was targeted. You thought, 'easy target'.

"You travelled some distance to get to the victim's place and targeted a rural, remote farm."

Referring to Pughe's driving, the judge said: "What happened was appalling and dangerous. It went on for over an hour, with different types of dangerous driving - high speed; going straight past junctions without stopping and putting others at risk; and trying to ram police.

"I bear in mind you are still a young man and although you have relevant convictions, you have not appeared at crown court or been to prison before."

However, he considered Pughe's offending too serious for him to avoid a custodial sentence, and jailed him for a year. Pughe is expected to serve half of the time behind bars before being released on licence.

Judge Parry also disqualified Pughe from driving for two years and six months.