Driver jailed after dangerous police chase that ended in salon smash

A HAIRDRESSER’S shop was destroyed when a teenager lost control of his car and ploughed into it during a high speed police chase, a court heard.

Jordan Fogarty then abandoned his injured girlfriend and another passenger as he fled from the scene.

Leeds Crown Court heard police officers spotted Fogarty doing handbrake turns in a Volkswagen Polo in a car park in Birkenshaw, West Yorkshire, on January 8.

The officers approached Fogarty in their vehicle but he drove up a grass bank and sped off. Fogarty then drove dangerously towards Cleckheaton. Mr Ward said Fogarty, aged 19 at the time, drove through red lights, ignored give way signs and reached double the 30mph limit.

During the pursuit another car had to mount the kerb to avoid a collision as Fogarty drove on the wrong side of the road. Fogarty then collided with a car near to the centre of Cleckheaton, causing £10,000 damage.

Mr Ward said Fogarty’s car then careered across the road into the front of a hairdresser’s shop. The prosecutor said the building was destroyed as the front of the premises “imploded” under the impact. Fogarty pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, having no insurance and having no licence.

Mr Ward said Fogarty had previously been on a driving safety awareness course which involved him attending a fire station and being shown graphic footage from crash scenes. Mr Ward added: “Clearly, that has not worked.”

Fogarty was jailed for eight months. Judge Sally Cahill, QC, said: “This is the kind of driving that should and must be met by an immediate custodial sentence.”