Dangerous driver jailed after 100mph bid to evade police

A DANGEROUS teenage driver who drove at speeds of more than 100mph to evade police during a 14-mile chase sobbed in the dock as he was jailed.

Callome Betterdige raced off from officers at speed, whizzed through traffic lights on amber and was pursued by a police helicopter in the early hours of January 12.

The 18-year-old, who had three “screaming” women passengers in the car, went over 100mph in a 60mph zone as he made his way from Swadlincote to Shepshed.

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court heard how, Betteridge also called his father for advice, but he told him to “put his foot down”.

After stopping in Shepshed, he then tried to flee on foot, but was captured by police when he entered a property.

Betteridge, who was in floods of tears as Judge Jonathan Taaffe passed sentence, was jailed for 36 weeks and banned from driving.

Peter Bettany, prosecuting, said: “On December 29, the defendant filled up at Morrisons and left without payment.

“He was seen on January 12, at 12.35am by officers who wanted to speak with him about it.

“He failed to stop and was chased for 14.5 miles. As he was followed by the police, he was driving at speeds over 100mph on a 60mph road, which was described as greasy and slippery.

“He went through lights as they turned to amber, but he went through at 60mph. The pursuit was picked up by a police helicopter.

“He drove to Shepshed, breaking hard and he tried to get out of the car while it was still moving by opening his door.

“He got out and jumped over a fence. There were three women in the car screaming. Police officers pursued him into a house and he was arrested.”

The court heard that when he was interviewed he said he had borrowed the BMW and was driving back to his grandmother’s. He accepted police were trying to stop him, but he thought he may be able to lose the officers.

Mr Bettany said: “He called his father for advice and he told him to ‘put his foot down’.

“He admitted dangerous driving, but stated he knew what he was doing and was in control.

“He admitted driving away without paying from Morrisons, on December 29, but said that the store had exaggerated the cost.”

Betteridge’s mother and grandmother sat in court for the hearing, but his father did not attend.

Judge Taaffe slammed the teenager for his behaviour said it was fortunate he didn’t kill himself or anyone else.

He said: “There’s no one to blame but yourself. Only you have got yourself in this hole.

“The dangerous driving is a serious matter, it was prolonged, it involved excessive speed and it is only by the grace of God that you didn’t kill yourself or an innocent road user.

“I give you credit for your guilty plea by not sending this matter to crown court, I will deal with you here today.”

Betteridge, of Main Street, Swepstone, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop for police and also pleaded guilty to the earlier offence on December 29 for making off without payment.

Judge Taaffe handed Betteridge a 26-week custodial sentence for dangerous driving and 10 weeks for making off with the petrol, taking his total sentence to 36 weeks in prison.

He was handed a 12-week sentence for driving while disqualified to run concurrently.

He was also banned from driving for two years and four months and also had to pay a victim surcharge of £115.

Andrew Cash, mitigating, said: “His grandmother and mother are both in court today.

“His mother and father live elsewhere and he lives with his grandmother. Nearby to his mother and father’s house were some travellers. “He used to drive on the fields with them. “One one occasion, one of the community thought the defendant was driving at them. “He appears to have left the group out of fear. “He knows he needs to change his behaviour. He knows what he did was wrong and he should be given credit for his early guilty plea.

“He cares for his grandmother and has recently gained a place at the Chameleon School of Construction which he will do two days a week if he avoids custody.

“He has the support of his grandmother and mother. He would find custody extremely difficult.”

As he was led away, Betteridge told his mother he was sorry.