Danger driver ran red lights in police chase
A reckless teenager led police on a car chase through the streets of the Black Country, driving on the wrong side of the road and running red lights.
Liam Pether was seen speeding in a VW Polo and did not have a driving licence or insurance, a judge heard.
The 18-year-old then made a desperate attempt to get away, flouting almost every driving law going.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how he caught the attention of officers in Peartree Lane, Netherton, Dudley, who followed him.
During the chase, in April, he drove on the opposite side of the road, forcing a taxi driver to swerve to avoid him, went the wrong way around a roundabout and ignored red lights.
Pether then abandoned the car and took off on foot but was caught by a police helicopter.
Judge Amjad Nawaz said it was due to ‘only good fortune’ that Pether avoided injuring himself or other road users. He was sentenced to 16 months in a young offenders institution at the court on Tuesday.
The judge said: “Police saw you driving the vehicle at 1.45 in the morning at speed.
“You showed a complete disregard for anybody on the road. It was only good fortune there was no accident and no serious damage to anybody.”
Pether, of Coppice Lane, Quarry Bank, was also sentenced for burgling a house in March where computers worth around £1,500 were stolen while the homeowners were away on holiday.
He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and burglary.
