Senior judge jails dangerous driver whose abandoned Audi rolled down a Chorley hill and struck BMW

An car dumped by a dangerous driver after a high speed police pursuit rolled down a hill and narrowly missed a woman, a court has heard.
Jack HaddonJack Haddon
Jack Haddon

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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Police 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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“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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Defending, 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.