A REMORSEFUL father-of-three is turning his life around after admitting he could have killed someone in a high-speed drunken police chase.
Ben Jolly pleaded guilty to seven charges at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court after doing "probably the most stupid thing" he ever did in the early hours of New Year's Day.
After the Chronicle reported his court hearing last week, he agreed to an interview in which he vowed to devote his life to work and family.
"I made a stupid mistake and that was pathetic," said the 27-year-old from Hillary Close, Springfield.
"It's true, I could have killed other people. I have three kids to think about. It's probably the most stupid thing I have ever done and I've done a few stupid things in my life.
"I can't turn the clock back that's for sure, but I want everyone else to know that I admit it was a stupid, drunk mistake, and I want to apologise for what I have done and I don't want anyone else to get in a car drunk, because it isn't worth it in the long run, I should have just walked."
Jolly says he drank about six or seven pints in the Rose and Crown in Writtle on New Year's Eve, mostly Strongbow cider topped with lemonade, when he drove his friend home to Melbourne.
After dropping him off, police spotted Jolly speeding on Waterhouse Lane at 12.15am.
A chase ensued along Rainsford Lane, the Robjohns Road industrial estate, where Jolly hit a police car, and Broomfield Road.
"I went to reverse back and I tapped his car very slightly, but there was no ramming," he said.
The chase ended when Jolly stopped in Petersfield and jumped through the bushes off Valley Bridge into the River Chelmer.
Soaked, muddy and cut, he gave himself up when he saw a police helicopter overhead.
"I panicked," he said.
"I should have just pulled over – I thought I could get away."
He admitted at the court hearing on Friday, January 2, to driving a motor vehicle when above the alcohol limit, dangerous driving, failing to stop, using a motor vehicle without insurance, driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and possession of cannabis.
He says he does not know how the cannabis ended up in his car, and despite pleading guilty to a seventh charge – aggravated vehicle taking – he bought the Vauxhall Zafira, but it is registered in his girlfriend's name.
Jolly also disputes he was breathalysed at 67 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath – as stated in the Chronicle – and indeed the Crime Prosecution Service states he measured 57 microgrammes.
A lawyer in court is believed to have made the error in saying the higher amount.
The legal limit is 35.
"I'm not what the paper made me out to be, I am not a joyrider and a drunk," said Jolly, who has had abuse over the phone and on Facebook regarding the incident.
Jolly, who dropped out of Helena Romanes School in Great Dunmow at 14, has served a number of prison terms and has ten convictions for fighting, fraud and burglary.
He says his latest conviction is his first in six years.
The self-employed groundworker, also a former roofer and car technician, has applied for a three-year apprenticeship course at Colchester Institute with two companies, including British Gas, since the court hearing.
He said: "I don't plan on getting arrested anymore and I'm planning on starting a future with my family."
Jolly is scheduled for sentencing during the three weeks commencing Monday, January 19, and could be jailed.
