A 'SENSELESS' driver who intentionally overtook and blocked an ambulance while it responded to an emergency has pleaded guilty.

Albert Butler, of Windermere Road, Reading, admitted intentionally trying to slow down the emergency vehicle despite it activating sirens along the A4 Bath Road, Reading.

Reading Crown Court heard how paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service were making their way to an incident in Maidenhead where a man had collapsed on November 2.

However, when the ambulance overtook a red Suzuki Vitara, being driven by Butler, he retaliated by overtaking the ambulance.

READ MORE: Flying Scotsman rolls through Berkshire in centenary celebrations

The 38-year-old driver then pulled directly in front of the ambulance braking, intentionally attempting to slow down the emergency response.

Butler continued this pattern of driving along the between Reading to Maidenhead towards Wargrave Road overtaking members of the public, braking heavily and blocking the ambulance's route.

Investigating officer Sergeant Matt Cadmore of the Roads Policing Unit based at Taplow, said: “The manner of Butler’s driving was completely unacceptable.

Investigating officer Sergeant Matt Cadmore of the Roads Policing Unit based at Taplow, said: “The manner of Butler’s driving was completely unacceptable.

“In deliberately attempting to hinder the progress of this ambulance, he was putting other road at great risk, and at the same time, delaying an emergency vehicle en route to a medical emergency.

“This sort of behaviour on our roads will not be tolerated and we will take robust action against anybody who seeks to drive in this manner.”

READ MORE: Woman sexually assaulted in underpass near train station

Butler pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and obstructing/hindering an emergency worker at Reading Crown Court on August 10.

He was sentenced at the same court on November 2, to eight months in prison suspended for 18 months. The court order includes a requirement of 20 rehabilitation days, 200 hours of unpaid work, and he must pay court costs of £600.

Butler was also banned from driving for three years.

Sergeant Cadmore added: “Butler will have to complete an extended driving test at the conclusion of his disqualification in order to get his licence back, and has been given a suspended prison sentence, which will be enacted immediately should he be convicted of any other offences.

“When you see an emergency vehicle with blue lights and sirens activated, please allow them to pass when it is safe to do so.

READ MORE: New Caversham road named in honour of demolished pub

“Seconds can make all the difference when an ambulance is on an emergency call, and the delays that Butler caused could have had significant impacts to the call that they were attending.”

The driving was captured on the ambulance dash-cam and was also partly recorded by the ambulance passenger on her phone.

Mark Ainsworth, Director of Operations at South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This was the worst standard of driving suffered by one of our hard-working ambulance crews who were responding on blue lights to a potentially very serious emergency that I have ever seen.

“Our ambulance crews are highly-trained, able to safely drive at speed when necessary and I’m thankful that the vast majority of other road users are considerate when we need to travel on emergency lights.

“In this case, however, the senseless and irresponsible actions undertaken by the defendant put himself, other road users and our ambulance crew at risk of serious injury or even worse. I have been in touch with the crew and thanked them for maintaining their professionalism at such a distressing time.

“I would also like to thank Thames Valley Police for their help in bringing the conviction and taking a dangerous driver off our roads for the next three years at least.”