Senior judge jails dangerous driver whose abandoned Audi rolled down a Chorley hill and struck BMW
Jack Haddon, 26, of Liptrott Road, Chorley, has been jailed for 10 months by a senior judge after admitting dangerous driving and leaving a car in a dangerous position.He also admitted having no insurance or licence.
The offences happened when Haddon, who was behind the wheel of an Audi A4, led police on a two mile chase, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph in a 30mph zone.
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Hide AdPolice officers had to abandon the chase on May 18 last year due to the risk to other road users.
Haddon then crashed into a car on St Gregory’s Place and fled - but the abandoned Audi then rolled down a hill, almost hitting a woman and crashing into her parked BMW.
The Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Mark Brown, said: “I’d be failing in my public duty if there were not to be imposed a prison sentence.”
Prosecuting, Nick Flanagan said: “ Police received intelligence a stolen car was being driven around Chorley at around 7.45pm.
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Hide Ad“The officer was able to identify the defendant as they’d had connections previously.
“The police asked the car to stop but it did a U-turn on Preston Road. It was described as an extremely dangerous manoeuvre with a risk of collision with cars in the opposite direction.”
Haddon sped up towards a roundabout on North Street and went through a succession of roundabouts in excess of 60mph in a 30mph zone, the court heard.
Police stopped the pursuit on Pall Mall but a short time later a crash was reported on St Gregory’s Place, where the Audi was abandoned - only to roll away.
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Hide AdDefending, Darren Lee Smith said: “The defendant, since the comission of these offences, has demonstrated in tangible form that he takes court orders seriously. He’s in full time employment.”
Judge Brown said: “The offences took place within 12 months of your release from prison, whilst you were still on licence.”
He banned him for 17 months and ordered a retest.