Hollie Dance, the mother of Archie Battersbee, has been sentenced to four years in prison for a dangerous car chase that ended in a serious crash. The 50-year-old, who fought a high-profile legal battle to keep her son on life support, pursued a driver for 12 miles from Southend to Basildon, Essex, in October 2022.
Dance and her son Thomas Summers, 26, chased the victim in separate cars after believing he was involved in an earlier attack on a family member. During the pursuit, Dance collided with the victim's Peugeot, forcing it into a tree. Summers then struck the man with his rented Toyota.
The victim suffered a fractured and dislocated shoulder and a fractured foot after being ejected from his car. He told the BBC he did not understand why he was targeted and often overthought the incident.
Recorder Peter Clark, sentencing the pair, acknowledged the family's loss but said their response was unlawful. He stated: 'Your response was completely unlawful, you sought revenge. Two wrongs do not make a right, they never do. This was a determined, persistent, highly dangerous pursuit.'
Dance admitted dangerous driving and was also convicted of possessing a banned gas canister. Summers was also sentenced for his role in the chase.
