Drink driver in 80mph Wednesfield police chase avoids jail

Adam Bell twice went around a roundabout the wrong way after he was seen by a member of the public swigging vodka at the wheel in Wednesfield.

Recorder Nicholas Cartwright said it was a 'miracle' no-one was injured. Wolverhampton Crown Court was told yesterday that Bell's Rover 25 left the road and landed on the opposite side of the carriageway as he drove over a canal bridge in Linthouse Lane.

The court heard that the pursuit on May 12 began near Wednesfield High School and ended in the Wood End area of the city.

Mr Mark Rees, prosecuting, said Bell, of Hylstone Crescent, Wednesfield, was reported to police by a passer-by for drinking alcohol as he drove his car.

He said: "At 8.50am on the Sunday morning, the defendant had been seen drinking from a bottle of vodka on Lichfield Road.

"Traffic officers on the road saw his Rover 25 drive pass them at 70 to 80 mph.

"He was on the wrong side of the traffic island as he went around it. The area is largely residential.

"The police put on the lights and followed him down Lichfield Road, where he failed to stop.

"He drove over a canal bridge, and officers saw the wheels leave the carriageway and the car end up on the opposite side," he added.

"He carried on towards Wood End Road and went around the traffic island the wrong way, forcing a private hire vehicle to stop to avoid being hit."

Bell, who works as a refuse collector, was eventually stopped by police in Amos Lane and when taken to the station a breath testshowed that he had 54 millilitres of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35 millilitres.

Bell, aged 24, pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving and driving under the influence of excess alcohol.

Mr Jasvinder Mann, defending, said: "He's a young man who doesn't associate with crime or criminals.

"He's hard working and has worked as a refuse collector for five years.

"He has expressed his remorse in this court and in the lower court and admitted his guilt in these offences.

"He says he panicked but this was an act stupidity."

Passing sentence, Mr Cartwright said: "It was a miracle that there wasn't an accident or injury to someone else.

"Twice you drive around a roundabout the wrong way and took off as you crossed a canal bridge.

"All of this was committed while you were over the legal limit."

Bell was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years and banned from driving for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

A deprivation order was placed on his vehicle, meaning that it will seized from his possession.