Banned driver jailed after ramming police car and almost hitting his mother

Nation.Cymru staff

A banned driver who repeatedly rammed a police car and almost struck his own mother while trying to escape has been jailed.

William Lee Foulkes, 32, of Cae Derwen, Llanfair Talhaiarn, Conwy, admitted dangerous driving and driving while disqualified following the incident outside his home.

Foulkes, known as Lee, also admitted possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply after being found with cocaine in Abergele in 2024, as well as possessing counterfeit £20 notes.

He was sentenced at Mold Crown Court on August 5 to a total of four years in prison, including three years for the drugs offence.

The driving incident happened on June 1 when PC Daniel Darbey found Foulkes outside his home driving a rented car which police said had been taken out under another name.

Despite being banned from driving, Foulkes drove towards the police car when he saw the officer and rammed it several times.

Police said he then reversed at speed into the vehicle while attempting to escape, almost striking his mother, who was standing in the road blocking the officer.

Foulkes fled, leaving the police car with more than £10,000 worth of damage.

Officers searched a number of addresses before he was arrested by the Priority Crime Team in Criccieth on June 12. Police said he had taunted officers on social media in the days before his arrest.

His mother, Helen Foulkes, 51, also of Cae Derwen, was sentenced at Mold Crown Court on August 5 after admitting resisting an officer in the execution of his duty.

She was fined £300 and ordered to pay £200 in costs.

‘Dangerous driving’

PC Darbey, of the Roads Crime Unit, said: “Foulkes knew he shouldn’t have been behind the wheel and to evade police, he put members of the public at risk with his dangerous driving, as well as almost striking his own mother.

“His recklessness could easily have caused a serious injury or worse, including to his mother, and it is lucky that no one was hurt due to his dangerous behaviour.

“Those who are banned from driving are banned for good reason, and we will continue to pursue those who feel the rules do not apply to them and hold them to account.”

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Kneale added: “We make every effort to locate wanted people and bring them to justice to protect our communities.

“We remain committed to pursuing criminals like Foulkes by disrupting their activity and we encourage anyone who has information about drug dealing or criminality in their community to contact us so we can take positive action.

“I welcome this sentence that will see him behind bars for some time.”

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