A man who led police on a high-speed chase while drink driving tried to hide in the boot of his car to escape arrest, Carlisle Crown Court has heard.
Police initially followed the 24-year-old’s car because they suspected it was speeding. It turned onto the A685 near Kendal where officers saw it veering across lanes just before midnight on August 28.
Despite the officers activating their lights and siren, the driver failed to stop, reaching speeds of 70-80mph as he entered a 30mph village area.
Prosecuting, Tim Evans told the court the car then pulled away and performed several dangerous manoeuvres on blind bends through country lanes before disappearing out of sight.
“The pursuit was abandoned because it was deemed too dangerous,” he said.
Officers attended the defendant’s home, and after a second pursuit, found him hiding in the boot of his car.
During his interview the next morning, the man initially claimed other men had been driving the car and had run off.
Eight days later the man contacted police and confessed that he had been driving under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Judge Barker told him his initial claim of others driving was pathetic, adding: “Anybody driving at these speeds, that level of intoxication on small, country roads, on blind corners, is a liability and a danger to other road users and, of course, to yourself.”
After hearing a guilty plea to drink driving, dangerous driving, and possession of cannabis and taking into account his mitigation of seeking help for substance abuse, Judge Barker sentenced him to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.
He must also complete 180 hours of community service as well as rehabilitation work. He was banned from the roads for forty months due to the severity of his offence and having a previous drink driving conviction, and will have to take an extended re-test.
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.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
