‘Maniac’ sped at 100mph in built-up areas

A “MANIAC” driver who led police on a high-speed chase in a stolen car is now behind bars.

At times, the officer pursuing Shaun McManus had to hit speeds of up to 100mph simply to keep up.

The 35-year-old defendant was spotted behind the wheel of a Volvo XC60 in Bagworth, nine days after it had been reported stolen, prosecutor Christopher Jeyes told Leicester Crown Court.

Police officers deployed a stinger device to try to stop the car - which was fitted with false registration plates - near Kirby Muxloe, but this did not stop him, the court heard.

Instead, he began to drive erratically at high speed, overtaking vehicles on blind bends, travelling on the opposite side of roads and going the wrong way on two roundabouts.

Mr Jeyes said the pursuit only came to an end when McManus took the Volvo off the road and ran off when it was no longer drivable.

A police dog tracked him down and he was arrested, Mr Jeyes said.

The officers found a lock-knife with in a satchel inside the Volvo.

He was taken into custody and told police he had borrowed the car and did not know it was stolen - although his fingerprints were detected on the false number plates.

McManus, of Glenhills Boulevard, Aylestone, went on to admit aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, having no insurance or a licence and possessing a bladed article, a lock-knife.

He also admitted possessing an offensive weapon, a police-style baton, which officers found it in his pocket when he was searched in November last year.

The court heard McManus, a father-of-three, had 57 crimes on his record, including four previous dangerous driving offences - but had no prior convictions involving weapons.

James Varley, mitigating, said: “He’s a roofer and the lock-knife in the satchel was among his work tools. He panicked when he saw the police car following him.

“He accepts it was an appalling piece of driving when he drove fast and dangerously on a Saturday afternoon in a car he must have known had been taken (by someone else) without the owner’s consent.

“We’re now a year down the line and he’s stayed out of trouble.

“He’s a hard working man and a useful member of society when he’s not being an idiot.

“He got behind the wheel of the Volvo following an argument with his partner, but they are still together.

“The baton he was later found in possession of was not being used in connection with any violence.”

Sentencing, Judge Keith Raynor said: “When the police tried to stop you using a stinger you started driving like a maniac in an urban area at up to 100mph.

“The police car was following at speeds of between 60 and 100mph trying to keep up as you overtook on blind bends and caused other drivers to take evasive action.

“Your driving was truly appalling.”

McManus was jailed for 11 months and was banned from driving for three years.