Desperate driver fled police at 80mph
A dangerous driver who sped through residential streets at more than 80mph, running a red light and going the wrong way around a roundabout in a desperate bid to evade police, has been jailed.
Anton Henry had no driving licence and was not insured as he raced through the streets of the Black Country, narrowly avoiding hitting a cyclist and a lorry.
The reckless 23-year-old took off when a police car travelling behind on Amblecote Road, Brierley Hill, flashed its blue lights instructing him to pull over at around 9.30pm on September 26 last year, a judge heard.
Officers had suspicions the silver Peugeot had false number plates.
Police dash-cam footage played to Wolverhampton Crown Court showed Henry speeding along Amblecote Road, Stamford Road, Thorns Road and other 30mph limit residential streets at speeds of 70mph and 80mph, going over zebra crossings and passing traffic coming the other way.
He ignored a red light along the way and went the wrong way around a roundabout.
The highest speed shown on the police camera footage was 89mph.
The chase eventually came to an end when the driver lost control when attempting a right turn, the court heard.
Henry tried to flee on foot but was caught by officers.
Henry, of St John's Road, Kates Hill, Dudley, was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, using a vehicle without insurance and driving without a licence.
He was also banned from driving for a year.
The car was his friend's and he drove it despite not having a licence. Two pals were with him in the car during the chase, the court was told.
Henry told police he panicked when police pulled up as he was not allowed to drive.
Judge James Burbidge said it was 'more by luck than judgement' that nobody was hurt.
He said: "You sought to avoid them but you are not going to avoid punishment for your driving which, in my judgement, was very serious.
"You drove through residential areas and it wasn't so late that the traffic was light.
"You went the wrong way around traffic island, through a red light at a significant junction and narrowly avoiding colliding with a cyclist.
"You went at excessive speeds of 80 and 70 in a 30 zone in what was a disgraceful piece of driving."
Mr Richard Franck, defending, said: "He said he did not really think about it, he just panicked as he had no licence or insurance and knew he was in the wrong.
"He can't believe how stupid he has been."
