Maniac motorist led police on 100mph chase

A maniac motorist led police on a high-speed pursuit as he drove at speeds of almost 100mph along residential roads in a stolen car.

Aerial footage from a police helicopter showing the pursuit of Jack Williams by two unmarked police cars was shown to crown court judge who jailed him seven months and banned him from driving for 12 months.

Judge Alan Conrad, QC, said: “I have seen a DVD of the chase which reveals a determined attempt to avoid detection over several miles at very high speeds on open road and residential roads sometimes on the wrong side of the road and on the pavement and ultimately crashing into a tree.

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“It is only by sheer good fortune that nobody was injured or seriously harmed,” he added.

Williams, 23, of Abbey Lane, Leigh, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving dangerously and without insurance and a licence. He also admitted handling stolen coping stones.

Ken Grant, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that on July 8 last year a house in Lostock, was burgled and keys to three cars stolen and the vehicles were the driven off.

On July 16 police spotted Williams driving one of them, a red VW Polo, with false registration plates, and after covertly following him they the activated their emergency lights and sirens but he sped off. During the ensuing chase along roads including St Helens Road, Newton Road, East Lancashire Road, Twist Lane and Crankwood Road, Williams reached speeds of up to 95 mph. After going along a dirt track he eventually crashed into a tree. While on bail Williams sold coping stones to a reclamation yard in Leigh.

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Rebecca Smith, defending, said that Williams, whose previous convictions include driving without insurance and a licence, committed the offences “after his world fell apart.” His relationship broke down and after turning to drugs stole from his own mother and was disowned by his family.

Williams, who has a young daughter, has now realised he needs help and has begun building bridges with his family and they are beginning to trust him again,

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