POLICE-CHASE MUM LOCKED UP
BANNED DRIVER RACED AT 70MPH THROUGH 30-ZONE BEFORE SMASHING INTO TRANSIT VAN
A MUM led police on a high-speed chase before crashing into a van, launching it into the air.
Emma Tuff, 31, failed to stop for officers as she drove her Renault Megane in Ashton-under-Lyne.
A chase began, during which she reached speeds of 70mph in a 30mph zone. She turned left and right in a bid to get away from cops.
Tuff, of no fixed address, went through multiple red lights and overtook other vehicles, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
The three-minute chase came to an end when she went through a red light at a blind junction and slammed into a passing Ford Transit van, sending it flying. The driver was left with whiplash and now suffers with ‘travel anxiety.’
Tuff earlier pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. Yesterday, she was jailed for 14 months. Prosecuting, Victoria Lewis earlier told the court Tuff had no insurance or licence and was banned from driving at the time. Those offences weren’t taken to court.
The incident happened on April 14 last year. Officers were on patrol on Princess Street when their attention was drawn to the black Renault Megane.
“She turned left onto Hope Street then back onto Princess Road, then turned left onto Mossley Road and failed to give way,” Ms Lewis said.
“She went through a red traffic light and turned onto Montague Road.
“She was driving at 70mph in a 30mph zone. She continued onto Stamford Street at speeds of 60mph and then turned left onto Park Road at speeds of 74mph.”
After Tuff had overtaken several vehicles, she drove through another red light at a blind junction at 50mph. She then hit the van.
Two male passengers were in the car with Tuff. She was arrested shortly after.
Speaking about the woman driving the van, Ms Lewis told the court: “She flinches when she sees a car speeding and struggles being a passenger.”
Tuff has 15 previous convictions for 32 offences, including dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving with excess alcohol.
Steven Sullivan, defending, said: “She tells me she was being urged by the two male passengers to get away from the police. It’s quite clear Ms Tuff does not enjoy good health, she has very difficult personal circumstances and a difficult family background.
“It’s in my submission that the court can take a chance on her.”
Tuff told the judge: “I’m very sorry for my actions on that day – I was suffering.”
Sentencing her, Judge Tina Landale said: “The offence is very serious and involved extremely high speeds over a long period of time and it came to an end when you collided with another vehicle and that person was very badly injured.
“It has had a longlasting effect on her. The offence was aggravated not only because of the injury but also because of the danger caused not only to yourself, but the pursuing police officers, the two passengers and all the other road users.”
The offence is very serious and involved extremely high speeds over a long period
Judge Tina Landale