The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Man in court over A1 crash
A man accused of causing a crash which left the A1 shut in Peterborough for more than six hours has appeared in court. Luke Smith, 21, of Lindsell Crescent in Biggleswade appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with driving without a licence, driving without insurance, aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving, and possessing a bladed article in a public place.
He was arrested follow- ing the crash on the A1 (M) at NormanCrossonWednesday, which involved a number of police cars.
Smith appeared i n the court limping. He was taken to Peterborough City Hospital following the collision.
After confirming his identity, he was asked by the court clerk if he wished to be represented by a solicitor during the hearing - an offer Smith declined.
Deliah Matthews, prosecuting, askedforthecasetobe adjourned for seven days for further enquiries to be made.
Smith did not enter pleas during the hearing.
Magistrate Pete Waterfield remandedSmithintocustody until the next hearing, which will take place on August 1.
The chase ended when the vehicle crashed into the central reservation at the Haddon services junction for Peterborough, becoming wedged under the crash barrier. The crash also involved two police cars and two further cars drivenbymembersofthepublic. All eight lanes of the A1M were closed. The southbound A1M was reopened at 8.26pm but the northbound carriagewaywasnotfullyopeneduntil 12.20am.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission and The Police Standards Department have been contacted by Cambridgeshire police. Police are appealing for information following an incident where a man was hit around the head with a baseball bat. The incident began on Alexandra Road, Wisbech, at around noon on Saturday, July 23, when the victim, a man in his 20s, who was driving a silver Fiat Punto, crashed in to the front of a green car while trying to move away from an obstruction. Following the crash the victim was approached by a passenger from the green car who was carrying a baseball bat. Concerned for his safety the victim drove off but waspursuedthroughWisbech by the green car. Thevictim stopped his car on Redmoor Lane and left thevehicle to enterahouse when he was grabbed by one of the men from the green car who struck him round the head with a baseball batwhileasecond man threw stones at him. The green car then left the scene heading towards the A47. Police are keen to speak to two men described as of a heavy build, white with tanned skin, and aged between 20 and 40. They would also like to speak to anyone who saw the green car, which is believed to be a VW Golf. Anyone with information should call the police on 101.