Dangerous driver in 70mph bid to flee cops
A DANGEROUS driver reached speeds of up to 70mph on residential streets as he tried to flee from police with a two-year-old child in the car.
Michael Lascelles was giving his sister and her toddler a lift when he was spotted speeding by an officer in an unmarked police car.
A court heard he panicked because he was uninsured to drive his partner’s car and instead of pulling over, he put his foot down.
The police helicopter was deployed to track him down as he tried to flee, first in the Audi A3 and then on foot.
The court heard it was around 5pm on June 5 last year that Lascelles was spotted on Northumbrian Way, Killingworth, North Tyneside.
The officer in the unmarked car followed him and when his speed increased still further and he cut a junction, the officer activated his blue lights for him to pull over.
There was then a chase lasting around 10 minutes.
Shada Mellor, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was doing 60mph in a 30mph zone and overtaking other vehicles in an unsafe manner at high speed.
“At one point he drove at 70 in a 30 zone.”
The pursuit ended when Lascelles drove down a dead-end street. He then made off on foot.
Lascelles, 24, of Lutterworth Road, Longbenton, North Tyneside, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and having no insurance.
He was sentenced to 14 months suspended for 18 months with 150 hours’ unpaid work and an 18-month driving ban.
Mark Harrison, defending, said: “He bitterly regrets a child being put in potential harm’s way.
“Mercifully no one was injured.”