Driver hit 100mph in Southampton city centre police chase

David Koszkowski, 37, of Haborough Road was found in the boot of the V8 Range Rover with a bag of white powder and cannabis when he was caught after a police chase.

The Range Rover, which had been stolen from a property in Brookvale Road, Southampton, collided with a taxi on Tebourba Way, Millbrook. 

It came after police spotted Koszowski in the driver seat of the car at the petrol station on Millbrook Road West.

READ MORE: Southampton man 'broke into' former partner's home and attacked her

A court heard how police pulled up next to the vehicle but then Koszkowski sped away with no lights on negotiating the Millbrook Roundabout in the wrong direction. 

Onlookers said the vehicle was travelling at around 80 to 100mph in the 50mph zone whilst police pursued causing other motorists to take evasive action. 

Officers then decided to slow down to avoid the Range Rover speeding up any more. 

But then as a taxi driver pulled out of the junction with Winchester Road, the Range Rover slammed into it, causing it to roll and end up on the opposite side of the pavement. 

Southampton Crown Court.

Koszkowski was then found in the boot of the car and upon being searched police discovered the Class B drug.

Both he and the taxi driver were taken to hospital but later discharged with no serious injuries. 

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday, he was charged with dangerous driving and two counts of possessing a Class B drug. 

Prosecution barrister, Michael Forset told the court that another driver was forced to "swerve into the middle of the road" and later called Koszkowski's driving "really crazy".

READ MORE: Ex-marine from Hamble downloaded over 1,000 indecent images of children

But defence barrister, Richard Martin asked for the judge to acknowledge the defendant's guilty plea. 

Koszkowski had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failure to stop for police, using a vehicle without insurance, and two counts of possession of a Class B drug. 

He pleaded not guilty to aggravated vehicle taking but no evidence was put forward for this charge. 

Judge Brian Forster QC said the defendant was aware the police wanted him to stop but yet decided to try and get away.

He said: "In doing so you caused considerable danger to other members of the public.

"And it is only through good fortune that no one was killed or suffered really serious injuries.

"You clearly have no regard for the law concerning driving."

Koszkowski was jailed for 15 months to be served concurrently with the sentences he is already serving. 

He was also disqualified for three years and had his licence endorsed. 

He was jailed for a further 14 days for the drug offences. 

Judge Forster also stressed to the court that the maximum sentence he could hand out for these offences is two years. 

Koszkowski had previously been prosecuted for incidents of theft, assault, possession of Class B drugs driving offences and failing to comply with community orders. 

He is currently imprisoned in Winchester. 

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News