A Lancashire man who forced police to pursue him while he was drug driving has been convicted of the same offence again three months later.
Prosecuting, Jack McCabe told Burnley Crown Court that police spotted a vehicle they believed to be stolen in Nelson on March 7, 2022, with the defendant at the wheel. They followed and activated their blue lights to pull it over, however the driver sped off, without lights, and led the officers in a high-speed pursuit through the town, under the M65, and was seen driving the wrong way up one-way streets and running through red lights.
The initial pursuing officers eventually lost track of the vehicle, but colleagues picked up the trail around 10 minutes later, following once more, with the driver reaching speeds of up to 80mph in 50mph zones and 60mph in 20mph areas.
It wasn’t until the man crashed into a parked vehicle that the car came to a halt, and he then proceeded to try and escape on foot. Police found him hiding under another car.
“The car was searched and officers found £225 in cash and 30 wraps of crack cocaine worth £450. He also provided positive samples for cocaine and cannabis,” said Mr McCabe.
Four months later, just after midday on July 22, police spotted a car suspected of having ties to drug dealing in the area.
Once more they followed, and once more the driver started to accelerate, forcing a pursuit, driving through red lights and reaching 83mph in a 50mph zone, driving against the flow of traffic and forcing other vehicles to swerve out of its path.
Ultimately the man lost control of his vehicle again and ended up in a spin, finishing on a grass verge. Two passengers in the car escaped, with the driver – the defendant – recognised as the driver from March’s pursuit.
He lashed out at police, kicking in a bicycle-style as he lay on the floor and attempting to wrestle a baton from the officer. He was then tasered and arrested.
“During a search of the vehicle, police found £20 in cash, a Samsung and Nokia phone and 19 wraps of cocaine worth about £570,” Mr McCabe added.
Mitigating, Kristian Cavanagh said his client had been remorseful and struggled while remanded in prison, noting that the now-21-year-old had not received the immediate care he required due to having Crohn’s disease.
The defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving, drug driving, two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, and assault on an emergency worker.
He was jailed for three years and two months, banned from driving for four years and seven months thereafter, and must complete an extended retest if he wants to regain his licence.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
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