A “madman” van driver who crashed into motorists while carrying a replica handgun before escaping police custody has avoided jail.

Ian Bean, from Boughton-under-Blean near Faversham, smashed into two cars with children inside on Low Road, Minster, rendering his Citroen Berlingo a smoking wreck.

As police received floods of 999 calls, officers discovered a realistic imitation pistol stashed inside the vehicle’s footwell, alongside live rounds.

No injuries were caused during the smash up in June 2019, apart from Bean who suffered a broken leg and arm.

The builder would go on to escape custody as officers attempted to arrest him at his home address, following reports of a disturbance.

Handing down a suspended sentence, Judge Simon James told Canterbury Crown Court Bean’s driving “could so easily have ended in tragic consequences to other road users.”

“You had (the gun) with you because it gave the impression it was a real gun.”

"Your driving could so easily have ended in tragic consequences to other road users..."

The outspoken judge hit out at the new 12-month custody sentencing limit for imitation firearms, branding it “counter intuitive” drafted by people “well above my pay grade.”

The father-of-two crashed while travelling at 40mph on a roundabout approach, with one eye-witness labelling Bean’s actions “like a madman.”

“He did not appear to be paying attention to anything around him,” prosecutor Catherine Donnelly said.

“She kept back from his vehicle because she thought he was a madman.

“Her first thought was the driver had passed out or lost consciousness.”

Bean’s van ricocheted off one car, span 360 degrees and crashed into another before coming to a stop.

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Onlookers dragged Bean from the wreckage before police unearthed the convincing 8mm beretta pistol.

Ms Donnolly told how, Bean who was released from police custody pending further enquiries, would go on to offend.

Officers attempted to arrest Bean at his address in Horslees Road in August 2020 for a separate alleged matter.

But as an officer drew handcuffs he ran and made his escape.

“Despite an extensive search for him he could not be located,” Ms Donnolly continued.

Bean originally denied the three offences in police interviews - asserting he was keeping the pistol safe from a friend who was “waving it around” - but pleaded guilty before trial.

Bean, who has four convictions for six offences including possession of a stun-gun, admitted dangerous driving, possession of an imitation firearm and escaping custody.

Mitigating, Paul Hogben said Bean, the family bread-winner, was “simply unable to provide an explanation why he drove in such a way.”

He added Bean has recently been providing crucial emotional support for family members following the death of a relative.

He was handed 16 months custody suspended for two years, 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

But before visibly relieved Bean left the dock, Judge James said: "If you breach this order you will be before me, I couldn’t make it clearer, you will be going to prison, do you understand?”

“Yes,” Bean replied.