‘Dark secret’ of dad in 100mph Merc chase

A BUSINESSMAN with a ‘dark secret’ led police on a 100mph chase in his Mercedes AMG, a court heard.

Michael Cadd, 32, said he ‘panicked’ as officers began to follow him after he had taken cocaine. Manchester Crown Court was told that Cadd had gone out for a drive at 3am when the ‘serious and dangerous’ pursuit occurred in Moston.

It was dark and raining when police spotted Cadd, a father-offour, in his white Mercedes on Nuthurst Road. When he failed to stop for a traffic signal officers began to follow him, prosecutor Sarah Johnston said.

Cadd reached speeds of about 70mph and 80mph in a 30mph zone, and failed to stop for a red light. He moved onto Broadway and at one stage police were travelling at 107mph in a bid to catch up with Cadd.

Ms Johnston said Cadd was ‘still making progress’ from the officers at that time. He went through a number of red lights, and only came to a stop when he reached a dead end.

When he stopped, Cadd put his hands out of the window in a ‘defensive gesture’. Officers noticed white power on the steering wheel, and an empty snap bag in the footwell of the car.

When he was taken to the police station he admitted the offences, the court heard. He later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, and possession of cocaine. He wasn’t charged with driving while under the influence of drugs.

Defending, Stuart Duke said Cadd has his own business employing 10 people.

Mr Duke said the firm was ‘not doing very well’ and that Cadd began using cocaine. He said he had gone out for a drive to ‘clear his head’, and panicked when police began to follow him while he was under the influence.

The lawyer said Cadd has shown ‘genuine remorse’.

Sentencing, Judge Hilary Manley told Cadd: “You were a hard working husband and a father-offour, but you had a dark secret, as you were addicted to cocaine.”

Cadd, of Brick Mill Close, Rochdale, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, after the judge said there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

He must also complete drug rehabilitation work, and was banned from driving for a year.