A disqualified driver led police on a high-speed chase through narrow residential streets before getting stuck as he attempted to flee the wrong way down East Lancashire Road.
Anthony Cook, of Dyson Hall Drive, Fazakerley, reached speeds of 80mph as he drove through North Liverpool on May 28, running red lights and hurtling over speed bumps so fast sparks flew from the bottom of his car.
He was spotted by police on Rice Lane at around 1.15am, and was pursued at high-speed for approximately five minutes before his car became trapped by a lamp post as he turned in the wrong direction onto the East Lancs Road.
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He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, June 26, where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.
Prosecutor Iain Criddle said Cook, a 38-year-old roofer, had been disqualified from driving for 18 years after failing to complete an extended driving test, which he was ordered to do in 2005 following another driving offence.
He said: "There was a police pursuit, captured on the CCTV of the police car which was following him. Within that pursuit, that took place over five minutes, the court will see the defendant driving at speeds of 60, 70 and 80mph in areas that are restricted to 20 and 30mph. He goes through several sets of red lights. Other cars are pulling over to the side of the road to avoid him. He goes over speed humps so fast the bottom of the car seems to hit the floor, and sparks fly out. He was eventually detained as he tried to go the wrong way along the East Lancs Road."
Police CCTV showing the chase was played before the court; however, video was cut off shortly before Cook's car came to a stop.
Jim Smith, defending, said: "What you haven't seen is the defendant being removed from the vehicle by police. His removal resulted in various injuries being suffered by the defendant, noted by the nurse back at the police station. He suffered bruises to his legs, chest, and a number of cuts to his body."
He added that Cook, a dad of one, was the primary carer for his disabled mother, and looked after his teenage son every weekend.
Judge Glyn Jones said: "Putting it crudely, this was a wholesale disregard for road users. You had no regard for others that were on the road legitimately at that time. You were trying your best to get away and had it not been for the fact that you got somewhat stuck, it's highly likely that you would have continued."
He sentenced Cook to 12 months in prison for dangerous driving and three months for driving while disqualified, with no additional penalty for driving without insurance, suspended for two years. He ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and 45 rehabilitation days, and subjected him to an electronically monitored curfew. He also banned him from driving for a further five years.
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