Banned driver fled from police

A DISQUALIFIED motorist who fled from a police patrol because he feared he was over the drink-drive limit has been jailed.

Nicholas Fox (20) led his pursuers on a high speed chase through parts of Oldham, where he drove at speeds of up to 70mph, on occasions on the wrong side of the road, and twice, on the pavement.

At one point, he forced two other drivers to take emergency action to avoid a head-on collision.

Fox, who a month ago was sentenced to four years at a young offenders’ institute for his part as the getaway driver in a planned robbery at a Morrison’s supermarket, was given six months’ extra custody, after pleading guilty to charges of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.

Sentencing him at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Peter Lakin told him: “Your driving was grossly irresponsible. Not only did you put yourself at risk, but you also put other road users at risk as well.”

Peter Edmondson, prosecuting, said Fox had been spotted driving a grey Vauxhall Corsa on Oldham Road, during the early hours of June 6, last year.

Police officers parked up at Tesco filling station in Failsworth, pulled out and followed him, as he drove at high speeds to escape them.

Fox went through major junctions on Hollinwood Avenue and Broadway, without attempting to slow down. He was only caught when the car stopped on Teddington Road, after police used a stinger device to puncture his tyres.

When interviewed by police later, Fox, of Keston Avenue, Charlestown, said he had been drinking in a local pub and feared he would have been over the limit. He said he had borrowed the car from a friend.

The court was told that Fox put his behaviour down to the death of his father who died in February, last year. The pair had been close, and his loss had made him reckless.

“The aggravating feature of this case was that you were already disqualified from driving,” the Judge added.

Fox was sentenced to six months for dangerous driving and four months for driving while disqualified.

He has been disqualified from driving for two years, his licence will be endorsed and he will have to take an extended test before getting back behind the wheel. There was no separate penalty for driving without insurance.