Dangerous Penwortham driver fled petrol station in Chorley

The sentencing of a man who drove dangerously after fleeing a fuel station without paying has been adjourned to explore a potential significant undiagnosed mental health issue.

By Stef Hall

Published 18th Jun 2020, 12:30 BST

Updated 18th Jun 2020, 13:12 BST

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Brendan Scott MacFarlane, 24, of Stone Croft, Penwortham, had been attempting to seek medical help around the time of the offences, his defence lawyer Brendan O'Leary said.

He added: " It would be wrong to ignore a material factor into his sentence."

The offences date back to October 27 last year when Macfarlane admits making off from a garage in Chorley without payment, driving a red Ford Focus dangerously on Martinfield Road and Pope Lane in Penwortham, and failing to stop for police on Studholme Crescent.

Judge Beverly Lunt accepted it was appropriate to adjourn the case, but warned the defendant it was no indication of the likely outcome.

She said: "There are other features to your case which need investigation."

He will next appear before Preston Crown Court on August 12.

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