Driver led police on chase through Wolverhampton 'to show off'

Richard Phillips, aged 22, accelerated away from officers who tried to stop his 12-year-old Alfa Romeo because of the way it was being driven through the Danescourt area of Wednesfield, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

As police gave chase he got too close to another car before overtaking and hit the back of the vehicle, causing at least £300 damage, said Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting.

Officers called off the March 29 pursuit after one-and-a-half miles because of the risk to other motorists as the speeding car with two people inside weaved in and out of traffic and jumped a red light at Cannock Road, Bushbury. It also 'fishtailed' twice while going round Showell Circus in Low Hill.

Inquiries revealed the address to which the vehicle was registered and officers later found the Alfa Romeo parked outside the house in Old Fallings Lane, Low Hill, where Phillips lived but he refused to let them in, said Mr Searle.

The unemployed defendant had no legal representation but the court was told the car had been bought for him by his parents who did not believe it had been driven by him before the incident without the instructor who was giving him driving lessons.

Phillips, who lives with his parents and was of previous good character, said: "I was showing off to a friend. It was a moment of madness."

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop when requested and having neither insurance nor a valid licence.

He was given a 12-month community order with 100 hours' unpaid work, a three-month night-time curfew, a year-long driving ban and an order to pay £300 compensation to the owner of the car he hit.

Recorder Mark Rhind told him: "This was stupid and reckless.

"It was sheer luck that you did not cause life-changing injuries or worse but I accept that this was a one off and you are otherwise a decent young man."