Man sentenced for assault, dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving – Reading

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has been sentenced to three year’s and six months' in jail following a sentencing at Reading Crown Court today (6/2).

Callum James Haste, aged 20, of Blandford Road, Reading was sentenced after he was found guilty in his absence of dangerous driving, ABH assault, and one count of Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving.

At the sentencing Haste was also banned from driving for two years and three months, which will start on his release from prison.

Haste was convicted and sentenced in relation to two incidents.

On 30 September 2023, a member of the public attempted to stop a motorcycle after he recognised the motorcycle as his friend’s stolen motorcycle. Haste has ridden at the man, causing him ABH level injuries.

The victim attended hospital and received treatment. He is still recovering to this day.  

Haste rode off on a public footpath near to Acacia Road to make his escape. This incident was reported and an investigation was launched and Haste was arrested on 2 October and released on bail for further investigation to be conducted.

On 21 October 2023, a number of officers had been conducting a search following reports of a stolen motorbike, which was later found abandoned.

Officers in the area then spotted a person riding an electric off-road motorbike, who was also carrying a passenger.

The E-motorbike was being ridden in an extremely dangerous manner. Officers worked to contain the bike.

On The Mount in Reading, three officers who were on foot looked to stop the rider.

The rider who was on the pavement, continued to travel towards the PC who has identified himself as a police officer. The PC was struck by the E-motorbike, causing him to be trapped between the bike and a parked police van. The officer required emergency treatment and continues to make a recovery.

Haste was arrested by other officers a short distance from the scene.

Haste was charged the following day and remanded to court, before being bailed and placed on an electronic tag.

In relation to the incident on 30 September, Haste was charged with assault occasioning ABH, and dangerous driving.

In relation to the incident on 21 October in which our officer was struck, Haste was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was then tried in his absence as he failed to appear in October 2024.

Haste has today (6/2) been sentenced to jail after he appeared at Reading Crown Court.

The motorbike was seized and destroyed.

The passenger was fined for not wearing a helmet, and charged with possession of a small amount of class A drugs. They pleaded guilty and were fined at Magistrates’ Court.

Detective Sergeant Robert Chevalier, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Haste has been convicted and sentenced for his crimes.

“E-motorbikes such as the one that was being ridden by Haste when he knocked down our officer are extremely powerful and fast and was not at all suitable for being ridden on roads or the pavement.  

“In this particular case the E-motorbike was not road legal and should only have been used off-road on private land.

“The manner of riding posed a substantial risk to other road users and pedestrians.

“Haste showed in both of these incidents that he clearly is a reckless individual who has no place on our roads and was willing to knock people over in order to avoid facing justice.

“We will continue to work to ensure the safety of our communities and remove those who seek to act dangerously on our roads.”

GFL