Community policing – Man banned from driving for five years after lengthy foot chase in Repton

A motorist, who was caught over three times the legal drink drive limit, has been given a 17 week-jail sentence, suspended for two years, after he attempted to evade officers in a South Derbyshire village.

On Sunday 19 April, at approximately 15:40 hours, residents living in Repton alerted police to a male slumped over the wheel of a van on High Street.

A local community officer, who was conducting patrols in the area, attended the incident and approached the driver, Joshua Marshall, who ran off, resulting in a protracted foot chase up and down several roads, alleyways, residential streets, and even a farmyard in the village.

During the pursuit, the fleeing male barricaded himself behind a gate in a private residential garden. Officer Bob, determined to stop Marshall evading justice, forced his way into the garden and prevented him from escaping over an 8-foot wall – and during the interaction, the man caused criminal damage to the property and the officer was injured.

Despite this, your local officer continued to pursue Marshall from the residential cul-de-sac, and onwards through the village towards a local farm. Officers from Swadlincote Police Station responded to the call for assistance, and PCs Holmes-Small, Langley, Glover, Crutchley, Johnson and PCSO Taylor travelled to the location.

Marshall attempted to evade capture by jumping into a watery brook. He then ran off along the water’s bankside, before trying to scramble up a nearby tree. He was approached by Pc Holmes-Small and was eventually caught and detained. During the arrest Pc Langley sustained an injury, requiring treatment.

The 32-year-old of Wellington Street, Matlock, Derbyshire, was charged with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol above limit; driving whilst disqualified; and using a motor vehicle on a road without insurance.

In August 2026, he pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced at South Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court to a 17 weeks’ prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also given a five-year driving ban, a rehabilitation order, along with a £120 fine and £300 court costs. He was also subjected to an out of court disposal for criminal damage to a residential property.

Inspector Leanne Craig from South Derbyshire Local Policing Unit says: “The incident highlights the serious consequences of drink and disqualified driving - and the risks posed to other road users and the wider community. Mercia Safer Neighbourhood Team would like to thank members of the public who have expressed warm wishes to officers who were injured during the pursuit, as well as to a local resident who assisted police during the fast-paced incident.”