- Colin Coleman, 51, from Filton, Gloucestershire was filmed by another driver
- The vehicle’s exposed rim hits a low kerb in the video, slicing right through it
- He was slapped with an 18-week suspended sentence for dangerous driving as well as an 18-month ban by magistrates
A white van man drove at high speed around city streets with a tyre missing – leaving a trail of torn-up tarmac in his wake.
Colin Coleman was caught on camera driving the Ford Transit van on the rim of his rear left wheel.
The 51-year-old was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, for dangerous driving – and given an 18-month ban.
Coleman, who was filmed by another motorist, also hit a kerb with the exposed rim on June 1 last year.
He had a clean driving licence before his appearance at Bristol Magistrates Court on February 1.
Police released the two-minute video, shot in St George, Bristol to warn of the dangers posed by driving with a missing tyre.
PC James Turner said: ‘Driving without a wheel on any vehicle is reckless in the extreme.
‘Coleman clearly did not have control of his van and was lucky he only caused minor damage to other parked cars when he could easily have struck a pedestrian.
The van, with its rear nearside tyre missing, being driven around BrisTol by Colin Coleman. He was given an 18-month suspended sentence for dangerous driving
The footage shows him careering down roads leaving a trail of torn-up tarmac behind him
‘The motorist who filmed him recognised the danger he presented and called 999 before speaking to us on speakerphone.
‘His evidence was crucial in securing the conviction as there was very limited CCTV in the area.’
Coleman, of Filton, South Gloucestershire, was also ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work and slapped with a £200 fine.
District Judge Jo Matson said at his sentencing: ‘Why on earth did you not just pull over and stop?
‘Your van was clearly damaged. You were clearly damaging the road and yet you continued to drive in the state it was in.
‘You showed a complete disregard for other road users.’