‘Not the sharpest knife in the block’ – Banned driver caught speeding in dad’s Audi before smashing into a tree
A banned driver was caught speeding in his dad’s Audi before smashing into a tree.
Jordan Farrell, 22, panicked when he was spotting driving the car by patrolling officers in Salford, and immediately turned a sharp left.
Officers followed him in a short pursuit where he went through multiple junctions and red lights, and did double the speed limit in residential areas, Manchester Crown Court heard.
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The chase came to an end when he attempted to turn right but lost control of the car, and crashed into a tree.
He was arrested and put in the back of the police car, but after nearby residents let him go, he fled and tried to get a group of men to ‘grab’ one of the officers.
However, his request was ignored, and he was detained.
Farrell, of Eccles, pleaded guilty to offences of dangerous driving, failing to stop, using a vehicle without insurance, driving whilst disqualified and obstructing a police officer.
He was jailed for 12 months.
Prosecutor Jack Troup said that on July 15 of this year, Farrell was spotted driving an Audi S3 by two patrolling officers on St Mary’s Street in Eccles.
“As they caught sight of him, he immediately turned left, and as a result the officers became suspicious,” he said.
A short chase ensued, with Farrell turning down several different roads, driving through junctions without stopping or checking and reaching speeds of 60mph in 20 and 30 zones.
At one stage he drove into a bus lane and mounted the high curb as officers activated their emergency lights.
“He continued onto Cranbrook Road and drove across a roundabout, and at the end of the road he attempted to turn right, but lost control of the vehicle,” the prosecutor continued.
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“He collided with a tree on the pedestrian path and officers arrived shortly afterwards.”
Farrell was advised to climb out of the car through the window and was arrested and placed in the back of the police car.
However, nearby residents came out and began shouting at the officers telling them they should let him go.
One member of the public then let him out and he ‘took the opportunity to make off’ and ran down the street.
“There was a short foot chase and Farrell was detained after a short period of time,” Mr Troup continued.
“He was heard shouting to a group of males nearby: “F***** grab him, he’s after me”.
“The group of males didn’t comply but the officer did feel it was necessary to produce his CS spray.”
Farrell was detained again and further checks were made which revealed that the car was insured to Paul Farrell who was the named driver.
Farrell was said to have ten previous convictions for 21 offences including dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified.
In mitigation, his defence counsel Stuart Duke said: “Mr Farrell doesn’t present as the sharpest knife in the block.
“He was almost killed in the episode of driving.
“He got the car for his father, his dad’s name is on the insurance.
“He shouldn’t have been driving it around – he was disqualified – it was a blatant disregard.”
Mr Duke added that the presentence report suggested a custodial sentence would ‘perpetuate’ the cycle of behaviour, and that society and Farrell himself would be best protected from a community order.
Sentencing, Judge Jeremy Lasker said: “At the time when you obviously knew you were disqualified from driving, you were spotted driving in an Audi S3, a car you had put in your father’s name, but I believe that was just a cover for driving it.
“If that tree hadn’t been there, you would have gone straight through to somebody’s front lounge.
“The risks were considerable, though I have no doubt you simply didn’t consider the risks at the time.
“Luckily, nobody was injured or killed.”
Farrell, of Westwood Crescent, was jailed for 12 months and disqualified from driving for two years.
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