An 18-year-old avoided prison 'by the skin of his teeth' after leading police on a high speed chase through Bolton and Salford. A judge told Sean Reilly that it was "by sheer fortune and good luck that no one was seriously injured or killed" during the pursuit on January 17.
CCTV footage played in Bolton Crown Court by prosecution barrister Marianne Alton showed Reilly turning down Piggott Street, in Farnworth, after being spotted by cops on Albert Road just after 4.20pm. Ms Alton said that Reilly had tried to cover his face when he saw police, as he had been arrested on suspicion of careless driving just 10 days earlier.
Reilly, of Parkway Grove, Little Hulton, raced towards Buckley Lane and then Cleggs Lane, reaching speeds in excess of 70mph and forcing other cars to move out of the way. He then drove down a number of narrow residential roads, before making his way towards Logistics North.
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The teenager eventually mounted the kerb and drove into Cutacre Country Park, despite signs prohibiting it. He then abandoned the car and ran away but witnesses told police which way he went and they caught him.
Reilly initially denied driving the car and claimed he was a passenger who 'screamed' for the driver to stop. He admitted that he had smoked a joint of cannabis earlier that day and a roadside test came back positive but he later refused further tests at the police station.
Patrick Buckley, who defended Reilly, told the court: "It is evident to anybody that it’s a terrible piece of driving" but added that there were "no consequences to third parties as a result of the driving". He said that Reilly has ADHD and was "out of control" at the start of the year but has shown "maturity" to plead guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, failing to stop and failing to provide a sample.
The Honorary Recorder of Bolton Judge Martin Walsh banned Reilly from driving for three years and until he passes an extended driving test. He sentenced Reilly to one year in a young offender institution, suspended for two years.
Judge Walsh said: "This was an appalling piece of dangerous driving. It’s by sheer fortune and good luck that no one was seriously injured or killed
"You put other road users at risk of grave jeopardy."
He added: "I want to make it absolutely crystal clear - you have escaped going to custody today by the skin of your teeth.
Reilly will have an electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 6am for the next three months and will have to complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days. The court heard that Reilly has also pleaded guilty to the careless driving incident and will be sentenced in relation to that on April 29.
