Man in court over ‘maniacal’ driving

A man has been given a suspended prison sentence for driving his car “like a fairground dodgem” on busy towncentre streets.

Richard Furneaux, 31, slalomed between speed bumps in Scarborough as stunned motorists called police, Teesside Crown Court heard.

He was “bizarrely” transfixed on reaching the Scarborough seafront after driving to the east coast from Middlesbrough.

Motorists who witnessed Furneaux’s VW Passat lurching dangerously from side to side described his driving as “maniacal”.

At one stage, Furneaux drove straight across other motorists at a junction after shooting through a red light on Foreshore Road. He then swung the car around near Valley Bridge and started breaking heavily “for no apparent reason”, said prosecutor Michele Stuart-Lofthouse.

Officers followed him to the seafront and the Passat finally came to a halt at Blands Cliff, where it was boxed in by several police cars.

Furneaux, who was crying when he got out of the car, was arrested and charged with dangerous driving.

Ms Stuart-Lofthouse described Furneaux’s driving as “bizarre,” adding: “The driver was said to be trying to slalom (around) the speed bumps, swinging the car from side to side. He was swinging his body from side to side as the car carried out the slalom manoeuvres. “One witness described (Furneaux’s driving) as being like a fairground dodgem. He appeared to be maniacally waving his arms around in the air.” Officers suspected Furneaux had been driving under the influence of drink or drugs, but he refused a blood test.

Since his arrest for dangerous driving on May 11, Furneaux, of Union Street, Middlesbrough, had been caught driving while disqualified and admitted the offence at South Shields Magistrates’ Court.

Recorder Mr K.S.H Miller gave Furneaux a 22-month suspended prison sentence with a 30-day rehabilitation course. Furneuax was also given a 30-month driving ban and ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge.