Overview
- Hampshire police published footage showing officers lifting a mattress on January 15 to arrest Scott John William Smith, who was concealed under a bed in New Milton.
- The arrest followed a January 9 incident on Jowitt Drive in which Smith, driving a Ford Puma, failed to stop for police and struck a dog being walked, leading to the animal being put to sleep.
- Smith was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on February 25 to 16 months in prison, disqualified from driving for 20 months, and ordered to pass an extended re-test.
- He had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, criminal damage, aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop after a collision, driving without insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, with a further custodial term for breaching a restraining order.
- Police Staff Investigator Katie Stafford called the case tragic and said she hopes the outcome offers the victim some closure, while the owner’s court statement described losing a nine-year companion as heartbreaking.