Preston woman who stole car, fled police and disappeared on bail for 12 months is spared jail

Cherel Robinson, from Ribbleton, pleaded guilty at Preston Magistrates' Court to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance and failure to surrender herself - 12 months after the events that led to her arrest last year.

In February 2020, an officer on patrol in Shakespeare Road was flagged down by Robinson, who had been driving a car.

Officers said she told them that a man had "pulled a knife on her".

"As it transpired, this female who is known to be Cherel Robinson from Preston was driving a vehicle that had been stolen in the early hours of that morning," said a Lancashire Police spokesman.

After the vehicle was identified as stolen, police say Cherel fled the vehicle on foot and was pursued by officers through the city streets.

The spokesman added: "Cherel was located by a number of colleagues after unsuccessfully trying to run away.

"Cherel was arrested and subsequently charged with a number of offences including aggravated vehicle taking and driving a motor vehicle without insurance."

But Robinson failed to attend court to face the charges against her, leading to an additional charge of "failure to surrender".

Last month (January 2021) - 12 months after her arrest - police issued a public appeal to help trace Robinson, whose whereabouts were unknown.

She was found and re-arrested and held in custody before appearing at court where she pleaded guilty to the offences.

Robinson has been spared prison after Magistrates handed her a suspended sentence, as well as a court imposed curfew. She has also been fitted with an electronic tag to ensure she complies with her curfew conditions.

The court also banned Robinson from driving and ordered her to attend a drug rehabilitation programme.