Teen locked up over 70mph chase through town centre

A TEENAGER who drove at 70mph during a police chase through the centre of Southport was locked up for six months.

James Byres was seen driving an uninsured Renault Laguna without an MoT in Lord Street at around 2am on October 23 last year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard police put their emergency lights on and signalled the 19-year-old to stop, but he accelerated down the road, which was in a 30mph zone.

Kim Egerton, prosecuting, said: “When the defendant realised he was being followed he increased his speed to 60mph and 70mph.”

She said the qualified mechanic sped along Albert Road, briefly losing control as he crossed a roundabout at Cambridge Road, which caused the car to skid, before turning into Marine Drive.

He again skidded, hitting 60mph in the 40mph zone before an officer using a spiked “stinger” burst the Laguna’s tyres.

When arrested, he said he drove away because he knew he did not have insurance.

The court heard he was sentenced to a community order and banned from driving for taking a vehicle in a separate case on October 26, dealt with by Preston magistrates.

But two days later, while still on bail for the incident in Southport, he stole a Vauxhall Astra in Pres- ton after a man advertised it for sale online.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and failing to stop. He also admitted taking a vehicle, driving while disqualified and handling stolen goods. Ian Whitehurst, defending, said the car enthusiast’s life had been “spiralling out of control”. He had to cope with his grandfather’s death, splitting up with his girlfriend and losing his job.

Recorder Mark Halliwell Byres, of Dean Street, Bamber Bridge, Preston, to six months in a young offenders institution and banned him from driving for two years.