Son of reality TV star Paddy Doherty jailed over police chase crash

Martin Doherty, aged 20, was accompanied by Daniel McDonagh and three youths when he led police on the eight-mile chase through the icy streets, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The pursuit ended when Doherty crossed the central reservation on the A4123 Birmingham New Road and smashed head-on into another car, leaving its driver hospitalised and both vehicles written-off.

Speaking to the Express & Star following the hearing, former bare knuckle boxing champion Paddy Doherty, who starred in Big Fat Gipsy Weddings and won Celebrity Big Brother, said his son had 'got what he deserved' after Judge Martin Walsh handed him the 14-month sentence.

The judge told Doherty he was fortunate his 'appalling' driving did not have had 'catastrophic' consequences.

The court was told police spotted the quintet in a BMW that was being driven erratically on the A461 Dudley Port, Tipton, on December 7, 2012.

Mr Zaheer Afzal, prosecuting, said when police started to follow the car it immediately made off at high speed, entering Priory Road and heading into Dudley town centre before rejoining Birmingham New Road in the direction of Wolverhampton.

During the hearing the court was shown dramatic footage of the chase taken from a pursuing police car, during which Doherty was said to have committed 'numerous traffic violations'.

Mr Zaheer said: "He drove through roadworks and on the opposite side of the road towards oncoming traffic, overtaking other cars at excessive speed.

"It was a prolonged chase. Throughout the entire incident his driving was extremely erratic."

The chase ended on Birmingham New Road near the junction with Sedgley Road West when Doherty drove the BMW through a central reservation and smashed head on into a Nissan Micra driven by Ronald Gough.

Mr Gough had to be cut free from the wreckage by emergency services. He suffered multiple injuries as a result of the smash, including bruising all over his body, pain in his legs, arms and chest.

It took him a month to make a full recovery, during which time he lost a stone in weight and struggled to walk, said Mr Afzal.

All five defendants fled the scene but were found hiding in back gardens near Foxyards Primary School. The court was told that none of the defendants were involved in the theft of the BMW, which had been stolen in October 2012 and was using false number plates.

Defending Doherty, who had been visiting friends in Dudley at the time of the incident, Mr Adam Roxborough, said; " His father has taken him under his wing and is teaching him the building trade. He accepts fully his responsibility and knows the consequences could have been far worse."

Construction worker Doherty, of Riverside Caravan Park, Queensferry, Cheshire, admitted aggravated vehicle taking. He was jailed for 14 months and disqualified from driving for three years.

Paddy Doherty, who won Celebrity Big Brother in 2011 and also starred in Channel Four's My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, said: "I'm very sorry. What has happened should never have happened. What he did was wrong and he has got what he deserves. He could be dead. I am grateful to God for giving him back to me. He has learned his lesson and these days he is out working every day and keeping away from trouble."

The 55-year-old has encountered legal troubles of his own this year. In March the former bare knuckle boxing champion was given a six-month supervision order after he admitted headbutting his stepbrother at a funeral wake.

Four passengers in the BMW were also sentenced yesterday.

McDonagh, aged 20, from Sunnyview Road, Chester, pleaded guilty to the same charge. He was said to be 'naive and immature' and was given 42 weeks detention in a young offenders institution suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 12 months.

An 18-year-old youth admitted the same charge and was given 26 weeks detention in a young offenders institution, suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 140 hours of unpaid work.

Another 18-year-old youth also admitted aggravated vehicle taking. He was handed a 12-month youth rehabilitation order, suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work.

A third youth, also 18, was found guilty of aggravated vehicle taking. He was given a 12-month youth rehabilitation order, suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work.

The three youths were all banned from driving for 12 months.