Ex On The Beach star Jacques Fraser is facing prison after he rammed a stolen BMW into a chasing police car.
The reality star, who was banned from driving at the time, was told by a judge there would have to be the ‘most extraordinary’ reasons not to jail him.
The 29-year-old who is a former boyfriend of Towie star Nicole Bass was at the wheel of the powerful 4 Series 425d vehicle when he was spotted by officers in Kent on 21 September 2018 – a month after the car had been stolen.
The pursuit started in the village of Betsham, near Southfleet, Kent, and finished when he crashed on the A2 slip road in nearby Ebbsfleet, but not before ramming the Kent Force’s vehicle.
Fraser then tried to run off on foot and as he was arrested he told officers: ‘I’m on a ban. It’s not even my car and I’m sorry.’
The star appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent, today, as he admitted to dangerous driving but initially denied aggravated vehicle taking, claiming he did not know the BMW was stolen.
Although after the star had spoken with his barrister, he changed his plea to guilty.
As well as driving while disqualified at the time, Fraser has two previous convictions for dangerous driving as well as other motoring offences.
‘The ramming and subsequent crash caused approximately £32,000 damage to the BMW and police car, which Fraser is now repaying through his wages,’ said Annie Johnston, defending.
The sentencing of Fraser was adjourned after Judge Julian Smith was told the dad’s life had ‘changed and moved on’ in the time it had taken to bring him to court.
Although he was arrested at the scene and made full admissions, he was subsequently released under investigation.
The Crown Prosecution Service then twice refused to charge until police had completed what were described as ‘action reviews’.
It was not until 2019 that the decision to prosecute by postal requisition was finally made, said prosecutor Rio Pahlavanpour (CORR).
Miss Johnston said that as well as supporting a young child, Fraser, of Chalcombe Road, Abbey Wood, south east London, is a carer for his mum.
Requesting a probation report, she added: ‘It was a bad piece of dangerous driving and he is attempting to pay the full amount of compensation.
‘His life has changed and moved on. He is now 29 and has grown up considerably.
‘There are exceptional circumstances I wish to put before the court and one has to bear in mind the passage of time, his personal circumstances, his plea of guilty, his admissions at the scene straight away and his genuine remorse.’
But despite expressing ‘frustration’ at the lengthy delay, Judge Smith warned Fraser he should not be under any illusion as to what his punishment would be.
‘I can’t possibly see how this would be resolved in anything other than a custodial sentence,’ he began.
‘I will agree to a pre-sentence report but don’t want there to be any misunderstanding. He has a dreadful record and this is his third conviction for dangerous driving.’
He continued: ‘This was a police chase and a ramming. Contrition at the scene is hollow when he has conducted himself in the way he has.
‘Barring the most extraordinary, exceptional circumstances, I’ll be sending him to prison.
‘What he will have over the next few weeks is time to prepare himself and put matters in place.’
Judge Smith then explained to Fraser that he should prepare for a ‘custodial sentence’.
He told him: ‘It would have to be exceptional, truly exceptional, for someone facing this offence with this background to receive anything other than a custodial sentence.
‘You must come here prepared to face a custodial sentence which is the almost inevitable consequence.’
The court was told Fraser had since regained his driving licence following an extended test but Judge Smith, releasing him on bail until his next hearing, imposed an interim ban.
He also remarked that but for the delay in charging Fraser and subsequent postal requisition, he would have been sentenced within three months of his crimes.
Fraser will return to court on 17 March.
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