Dangerous driver jailed after high speed pursuit

A BANNED dangerous driver who led police on a high-speed pursuit during lockdown has been jailed.

Travelling at up to 88mph during the five-and-a-half-minute chase, Joshua Staden drove perilously close to pedestrians and cyclists and forced other vehicles off the road.

Judge Martin Hurst asked the 24-year-old father-of-two how he would feel if a motorist drove past his children like that – and suggested he would be terrified for their safety.

Leicester Crown Court was told that Staden, who had an “appalling” driving record, was spotted in a Vauxhall Astra by patrolling police on the A6

Loughborough Road, Rothley, at 2.30pm on May 4.

Officers were aware the vehicle had no insurance or an MoT certificate.

They signalled for him to stop and he initially pulled over, until an officer got out to speak to him – and then raced off towards Syston via the A46, Glebe Way and Fosse Way.

At times he drove on the wrong side of the road, forcing vehicles to pull over, went on the wrong side of keep-left bollards and straight across a mini-roundabout.

Kate Temple-Mabe, prosecuting, said Staden zoomed past people and cyclists at 76mph in 30mph built-up areas and failed to stop at a pedestrian crossing.

After leaving the 30mph zone, his speed went up to 88mph.

Despite Covid-19 restrictions the area was relatively busy and there was “a significant risk” to others, said the prosecutor.

Staden, of no fixed address, abandoned the Astra in Syston High Street and ran off, but was caught.

Staden admitted driving dangerously and having no insurance or MoT.

He was also sentenced for two earlier incidents he also admitted: driving when disqualified on August 24 and October 7 last year, plus no insurance and one count of no MoT.

Staden had already served a 12- week jail sentence earlier this year for another driving when disqualified offence, on October 17, and for shoplifting.

John Greenan said in mitigation: “When stopped on the earlier occasions he gave his true details and let it be known he was disqualified.

“He was suffering from anxiety and depression and is on improved medication. He thinks his judgement in deciding to drive was partly down to that.

“Although serious, it’s not the most serious case of its kind to come before the courts. He has been in custody since his arrest.”

Judge Hurst said Staden “didn’t take it as a warning” when stopped by police last August and continued to flout the law.

He said: “On May 4 you drove extremely dangerously.

“There’s something curious about the lockdown period – it’s the seventh or eighth case I’ve dealt with in the past couple of weeks.

“You caused a danger to pedestrians, road users and cyclists by driving on the wrong side of the road, forcing cars off the road and driving close to pedestrians.

“I accept you were suffering from depression and anxiety, but I don’t understand why you think that caused you to drive in this way.

“How would you feel if someone drove past your children on the street at 76mph in a 30mph?

“You’d be terrified on their behalf.”

Staden, who appeared in court via a video link from prison, was jailed for 18 months.

He was banned from driving for three years and seven months.