Danger driver in police pursuit out ‘clearing his head’

HE WENT OUT FOR SPIN AFTER ROW WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND

A DANGEROUS driver led police on a pursuit when he went out for a spin “to clear his head” following a row with his girlfriend.

Ryan McGuire failed to stop for officers who saw him speeding in a VW Polo in Troon Way, Rushey Mead, Leicester, in the early evening of June 26 last year.

Brian Outhwaite, prosecuting, said the defendant turned in to Hamilton Way and increased his speed, ignoring an unmarked police car’s siren and flashing lights as he “intentionally failed to stop”.

The prosecutor told Leicester Crown Court: “He went through a red light and turned into Sandhills Avenue, travelling at 50mph in a 30mph zone and into Hornby Road.”

At one stage 26-year-old McGuire drove on the wrong side of the carriageway and caused other road users to take evasive action.

He stopped the vehicle in Tollerton Close, Hamilton, and made off on foot, Mr Outhwaite said.

The car was registered at the defendant’s address and although he was insured to drive it, his provisional driving licence had expired, the court was told.

Three weeks later, McGuire turned himself over to police by voluntarily attending a station with a prepared statement to make “full and frank” admissions to being the driver.

Mr Outhwaite said: “He said he had had an argument with his partner and was driving to clear his head.”

McGuire, of Aikman Avenue, New Parks, Leicester, admitted dangerous driving and driving otherwise in accordance of a licence.

Luc Chignell, mitigating, said: “No damage or injury was caused but he knew it was wrong.

“It was his partner’s mobility car. They’d had an argument and he drove it to clear his head.

“He has mental health issues, and I appreciate this is often put before the court but it was a contributory cause of him going on to drive.”

Sentencing, Recorder Richard Davis said: “I’m told this was a oneoff following an argument with your girlfriend.

“Other road users had to take avoiding action, but I accept you later voluntarily attended the police station.”

McGuire received a four-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was ordered to pay £250 court costs and banned from driving for 18 months.