Driver who was chased by police hit 70mph in 20 zones

A DANGEROUS driver faces jail after leading police on a 70mph chase through a number of residential roads.

Andrew Park, 25, of Heaton Chapel, ignored police requests to pull over at traffic lights and sped off, Stockport magistrates heard.

Prosecuting, Ashley Seetal said Park was estimated as travelling up to 70mph in 20mph zones before he was finally caught by officers.

Park admitted dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving not in accordance with a licence.

He was first spotted at traffic lights on Manchester Road, Heaton Chapel, at 3.40am in the morning.

Mr Seetal said: “Officers indicated for him to pull over. The defendant has driven off and the officers have pursued the vehicle.

“The vehicle driven by the defendant was travelling at 70mph in a 20mph zone, sometimes the defendant was driving on the wrong side of the road.

“It was a prolonged chase with the defendant driving at excessive speeds.”

Park travelled along roads including Cambridge Road, Heathfield Avenue, Egerton Road North, Ellesmere Road North, School Lane and Denby Lane on February 21 this year.

Chairman of the bench Joe Bangadu decided that magistrates court sentencing powers – where the maximum is six months jail – were insufficient.

The case was adjourned until September 3, when Park will be sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court.

In a separate case another driver was sentenced for driving under the influence of drugs.

Mark Brown, 27, of Beech Close, Alderley Edge, pleaded guilty and was fined £120 and banned from the road for 12 months.

Police had followed Brown, who has links to Brinnington, in his white Transit van when they saw him holding a mobile phone.

Officers stopped him on Highbury Road, Heaton Chapel and ‘noticed a smell of cannabis,’ said prosecutor Mr Seetal.

He added: “He said he had smoked a spliff that morning.”

A blood test confirmed the presence of cannabis.

Mr Bangadu said: “It is a no, no, no any time, any day, anywhere in the world. There are consequences for your daft behaviour.”

Brown said: “I am really sorry about it, I won’t do it again.”