Learner driver led police on high speed chase

ALEARNER driver has been slammed by a Judge after leading police on a high speed chase and crashing into a car.

Andrew Simpson, 31, of Waterloo Street, Claytonle-Moors, took the keys to an Audi A4 and was spotted driving at speed by police as he went to a nearby cash point.

Burnley Crown Court were told how the fatherof-four ‘panicked’ and then sped off along Pickup Street, Whalley Road, Devonshire Drive and Lancaster Drive, at times reached up to 70mph in 40mph residential areas.

The court heard how at one point he lost control going over a speed bump and collided with a parked Seat car causing £2,600 damage.

He later went over a canal bridge with a ‘blind drop’, forcing a car in the opposite direction to swerve and avoid a collision before dumping the car in an alleyway.

Simpson, who only holds a provisional licence, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, using a car without insurance and driving without insurance.

He was given a ninemonth jail sentence, suspended for 18 months with a six-month alcohol treatment requirement and a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement, disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £100 costs..

Sentencing, Recorder Katherine Pierpoint said: “You acted that night recklessly and impulsively without thinking of the consequences for members of the public and your own family.

“The consequences of this appalling piece of driving could have been far worse than just damage being caused to two vehicles.”

Francis McEntee, prosecuting, said the incident happened at around 10pm on March 9 this year.

The court heard that Audi owner Wayne Shep- herd and Simpson had both been at the same address in Clayton-leMoors and that he left his car keys on the kitchen surface.

Later in the evening Mr Shepherd noticed both Simpson and the keys were missing.

Daniel Prowse, defending, said Simpson has already paid £4,600 to Mr Shepherd to cover the Audi’s damage costs and that he voluntarily surrendered himself to the police the day after the incident.

Mr Prowse said Simpson ‘very foolishly’ went out in the car and that it was a ‘momentary lapse of judgement’.

He said Simpson has shown ‘significant and genuine remorse’.