Drink driver hit 100mph in city police pursuit

PRISON TERM SUSPENDED

A DRIVER who was over the drink drive limit sped through the city at speeds over 100mph.

Anthony Riley, 31, of Forest Road, Clipstone, was a banned driver when he got behind the wheel of an uninsured Fiat Bravo.

Nottingham Crown Court heard the 15-minute pursuit began when Riley sped past police on the A60 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, and officers followed in their car.

Dramatic CCTV footage was played in court as Riley continued speeding in the distance with just his tail lights visible.

He ran red lights and overtook vehicles in the early hours of October 31 last year.

The chase was along Alfreton Road, Radford Boulevard, Lenton Boulevard, Ilkeston Road, Tollhouse Hill, Upper Parliament Street, Huntingdon Street, to Trent Bridge, before he drove over the top of a traffic bollard in Holme Road, West Bridgford, and crashed into two parked cars.

He had 79 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35.

Riley was represented by barrister Errol Ballentyne yesterday, who said Riley had self-referred to get help.

He was living with his partner and working for Dixons, helping with the stacking of items and putting them away.

Their life was turned upside down in March 2020, the start of lockdown, added Mr Ballentyne, when they effectively became homeless after a house fire and were housed in inadequate accommodation.

Riley could not cope and felt totally inadequate.

“On this night he also felt, and when looking at his driving, suicidal,” said Mr Ballentyne.

He was at the lowest he could get”.

He has since sought help and is not drinking.

Recorder Richard Davis said it was a bad case of dangerous driving and a pursuit with speeds up to and exceeding 100mph. “That was through the centre of Nottingham,” he told Riley. “Cars swerved to avoid you and, only after 15 minutes you hit a bollard, crashed and exited the vehicle and police were able to apprehend you.

“It was a dangerous, lengthy pursuit”.

Riley pleaded guilty to all charges. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, for the dangerous driving, with 20 rehabilitation days, a tagged curfew for three months between the hours of 9pm and 5pm. He was banned from driving for three years and has to pass an extended driving test.

For driving whilst disqualified, drink-driving and no insurance, his licence will be endorsed with penalty points.

Cars swerved to avoid you. It was a dangerous, lengthy pursuit.

Richard Davis