Heysham police pursuit lands banned drink driver in prison

Anthony McWilliam, 32, failed to stop for police when they started to follow his speeding Ford Transit van on Heysham Road, Heysham, at around 5.15pm on August 17.

Prosecuting, Holly Nelson said: "They made efforts to catch up with the defendant.

"Once, when the police vehicle was within 40 metres he went through a red light on a pedestrian crossing, making no attempt to slow down."

Preston Crown Court was heard he made a number of turns without indicating and mounted a grass pavement, and at one point officers had to travel at 50mph in a 20mph zone to keep up with it.

Eventually he turned into Warren Drive - a cul de sac - and tried to leave the vehicle

A breath test showed he was more than twice the legal limit.

McWilliam, who gave his address as Regent Street, Bury, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drink driving, driving while disqualified and uninsured.

Defending, Gwen Henshaw said he had been trying hard to put his behaviour behind him and suffered mental health and drinking issues.

Judge Simon Newell imposed a five year ban and extended retest, adding: " You were being followed by a large police vehicle, it had its blue lights flashing and such was your drinking you didn't seem to notice it was there until the very last minute.

" It was a residential area, there were people about on foot and using motor vehicles."

Referring to his previous record he added : "It's fortunate you haven't killed or badly hurt anybody in the last few years."