Danger driver jailed for high-speed chase

Reckless motorist caused total chaos on the roads

A daredevil driver who led cops on a terrifying highspeed chase has been caged with a warning ringing in his ears.

Edward Kerr, 25, sparked terror for other drivers and pedestrians alike when he tore through the streets of Paisley, Renfrew and Glasgow in his car in an attempt to get away from police.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard Kerr, of Bardrain Road, in the town’s Glenburn district, ignored a police officer’s directions to stop his car, then suddenly pulled a U-turn, mounting the central reservation at Kings Inch Road.

Kerr then ran through red lights at Kings Inch Road, Old Govan Road and Glasgow Road, causing other motorists to swerve out of his path.

He also drove on the wrong side of the road at Glasgow Road, forcing drivers to take evasive action, and continued driving along the opposing carriageway, before driving straight through a roundabout at Glebe Street.

Motorists at Renfrew Cross were forced to veer out of his way when he sped through the town, driving on the wrong side of the road with cops in hot pursuit.

He also drove on the wrong side of the carriageway onto Paisley Road, where he mounted the pavement and took out a wheelie bin.

The risky driver then continued the mayhem at Inchinnan Road where he drove into the path of oncoming motorists. The incident only came to an end when he drove over a stop sign and crashed into a field at Grahamstone Road, Paisley.

Kerr appeared for sentencing yesterday after pleading guilty to charges of dangerous driving, driving at excessive speed placing other road users in danger, failing to stop when requested to by police and driving without insurance.

Defence agent Kevin Corr said: “It started off as ignorance as he was driving without insurance and with six points on his licence.

“He feared that a traffic stop by police would have led to his disqualification.

“The matter escalated from there and it was only down to the quick thinking of other drivers that there wasn’t a serious accident.

“He deeply regrets his actions and has apologised to the court, to the police officers and drivers involved.”

The lawyer urged the court to hand Kerr a community based disposal given his acceptance of his responsibility, the timing of his plea of guilty, his young age and only minor previous offences on his record.

However, Sheriff Colin Pettigrew jailed him for five months, telling Kerr: “You were being chased by the police when you drove dangerously and at excessive speed into the path of oncoming traffic.

“You drove through a roundabout and mounted a pavement, forcing vehicles to take evasive action. You drove through red traffic lights and failed to stop when directed to by police.

“In fact, you clearly drove dangerously for a considerable distance for a considerable time.

“The pursuit involved the police aerial support unit.

“And you drove through a stop sign and only stopped when you couldn’t go anywhere else and were finally apprehended by police.”

He added Kerr’s display “fell far below” what is expected on public roads said the “only appropriate disposal would be a custodial sentence”.

Sheriff Pettigrew also banned Kerr from the roads for 45 months and ordered he sit the extended test of driving competency before he is allowed behind the wheel again.