Drink driver drove at 80mph in 20mph streets in Rhondda Cynon Taf

A drink driver stole his friend's partner's car before leading police on a chase where he reached speeds of 80mph in a 20mph zone. A stinger was used to attempt to stop the car but he carried on driving regardless. Corey Eaves, 28, had been staying at the address of Chloe Smith but in the early hours of April 26 he took the keys to her Nissan Juke and drove it away from the property while making a "vulgar gesture" towards her. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard the police were called and the stolen car was seen shortly before 1am. The vehicle was seen again at around 2.30am and was followed by police for a short distance until the Juke stopped. Two police vehicles attempted to box the defendant in but he reversed backwards, making contact with a police vehicle before driving off down an alleyway. A total of £7,000 worth of damage was caused to the police car. Police vehicles illuminated their blue lights and a chase began. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here Prosecutor James Evans said Eaves was driving at excessive speeds down narrow lanes before turning into Gilfach Road, Tonyrefail, without stopping. He reached speeds of 80mph in a 20mph zone as officers attempted to use a stinger device to stop the vehicle but he carried on driving. The defendant eventually came to a stop and got out of the car and attempted to run away but was apprehended by officers. He underwent a breathalyser test and gave a reading of 58 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35 micrograms. Eaves was also found to be a disqualified driver. Just two days before the police chase the defendant attended Mill Street petrol station in Tonyrefail, which he'd been banned from, and took a 10 pack of Carlsberg cans worth £11.29p. Eaves, of Heol Glyn Goch, Hendreforgan, Gilfach Goch, later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, drink driving, driving whilst disqualified, and theft from a shop. The court heard he has a number of previous convictions. In mitigation Elin Morgan said her client had been a user of class A drugs but had carried out a number of courses while in prison and provided negative drug tests. The barrister said the defendant has two young children. Sentencing, Judge Eugene Egan said: "The manner of your driving was utterly disgraceful." Eaves was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment and was disqualified from driving for four years upon his release from prison. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter