Driver hit 93mph in chase and fled police in handcuffs
AN unlicensed and uninsured driver led police on a high-speed chase after spending the evening drinking in Ilkeston.
John Green, who has almost 50 previous offences to his name, reached 93mph during the pursuit which began on the M1 and ended in South Yorkshire.
Derby Crown Court heard the 42-year-old refused to give a sample of breath as he was suspected of being over the drink-drive limit.
And the following day, while on bail, he fled from police who had tried to arrest him again, with handcuffs still on one of his wrists.
Jailing him for 18 months, Judge Jonathan Bennett said: “This was serious. It was a nine-minute-long chase where you reached speeds of 93mph and carried out some extremely risky manoeuvres.
“Your case is aggravated by your unenviable record particularly for motoring offences.”
Almas Ben-Aribia, prosecuting, said Green had been drinking with his partner, who lives in Ilkeston, on July 18. He then decided to get into his Vauxhall Zafira and drive north on the M1 to his home in West Yorkshire. He was spotted by police who tried to pull him over, but he accelerated away from them.
Miss Ben-Aribia said: “This was prolonged bad driving with a disregard for other road users while being pursued by the police.
“They tried to box him in using three cars, but he managed to get away from that and off the M1.
“He left at junction 31 and headed into Dinnington, South Yorkshire, reaching a top speed of 93mph on a national speed limit road. He went at 80mph in a 40mph driving on the wrong side of the road and eventually left the car in a ditch and ran off.”
Miss Ben-Aribia said Green was found nearby, arrested and refused a breath test.
He was released on bail, but the following day police went to his address after receiving a call about a domestic incident.
Miss Ben-Aribia said while there, one of the officers attempted to handcuff him and managed to get the restraint on one wrist, but he pushed him away and fled. Five hours later Green was found at his local railway station and arrested.
The defendant, of Wakefield, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drink-driving, driving without insurance or a valid licence and failing to provide a sample of breath for analysis. He also admitted assaulting an emergency worker, theft of the handcuffs and unlawful escape.
Miss Ben-Aribia said Green has 22 previous convictions for 49 offences.
Dermot Hughes, mitigating, said: “As far as the driving is concerned I accept on his behalf it was appalling. Mercifully no-one was injured and remarkably no damage was caused.”
As well as the jail term Green, of Firville Avenue, Normanton, was also disqualified from driving for five years.