Banned driver jailed over chase

A DISQUALIFIED driver who led police on a desperate seven-minute chase through Oldham at speeds of up to 60mph has been jailed.

Roofer Alexander Matthews (30) panicked when he was followed by a marked police car in Middleton Road, Chadderton, late at night, and when the driver flashed for him to stop, he put his foot down instead.

During the pursuit that followed, he went through three red traffic lights in his VW Transporter van, drove at up to 45mph over speed humps, forced oncoming drivers to swerve as he drove on the wrong side of the road and drove the wrong way round a mini-roundabout.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told by Sarah Johnston, prosecuting, that he was only caught when police used a stinger trap to puncture his tyres.

The court was told that little more than a week after being bailed pending court proceedings for the incident, Matthews, of Rountree House, Oldham, was involved with two others in robbing a man after a lengthy drinking session.

Sentencing him, judge Jonathan Geake told him: “This was a prolonged piece of reckless driving that could easily have resulted in a fatality. To make matters worse, because you were already disqualified, you were uninsured.”

Matthews, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and robbery, was sentenced to a total of 32 months — 12 months for dangerous driving, four months concurrent for driving while disqualified, and an additional 20 months for robbery. He has been disqualified from driving for three years.

The robbery victim, Wakas Ahmed, had been approached by Matthews and two others outside a takeaway in Manchester Street at around 11pm.

He was asked for a cigarette, the four got into conversation, and it was suggested they each chip in towards the cost of buying beer and cider, and drink it at Matthews’s flat.

Mr Ahmed offered some loose change, and when told it was not enough, took a £10 note from a tobacco tin in which he had £140.

They drank initially at the flat and then in a park off Napier Street until around 4am.

One of the men put his hands round Mr Ahmed’s throat, racist remarks were made, and he was told to hand over the rest of his cash.

The money was taken, but as he tried to call for help on his mobile phone, it was taken from him and he was kicked and punched by all three men, causing injuries to his chin, nose and cheek.

Nigel Armstrong (24), of Belgrave Road, Hathershaw, and Daniel May (18), of Thackeray Road, Derker, both pleaded guilty to robbery along with Matthews, and were each given 20-month sentences.

Alison Heyworth, defending Matthews, told the court that he had been going through a personal crisis at the time, and had been drowning his sorrows in alcohol.

She said the dangerous driving incident had been a “foolish and impetuous” decision because he had panicked. The robbery had been out of character.

Judge Geake told all three: “Drink, drugs and depression are absolutely no excuse for committing offences like these. Inevitably, a custodial sentence must follow.”