Unlicensed driver flipped car into lamppost after police chase

Mark Tovey, of Bewdley Road, Kidderminster, had been fleeing from a police car with his girlfriend in the passenger's seat when he lost control of the Ford Escort.

Richard Franck, prosecuting, said Tovey hit speeds of more than 50mph while in 30mph zones during the short pursuit in Kidderminster.

At Worcester Crown Court yesterday, the 30-year-old was handed a 12-week jail term, suspended for a year and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for two years.

He was also told to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, made subject to a 12-month supervision order and told to pay £50 court costs.

He had previously admitted to charges of dangerous driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance at Kidderminster Magistrates Court in July.

Mr Franck told the court that at around 2pm on January 4 police received information that Tovey was behind the wheel of the Escort. Shortly after that, a police officer saw Tovey drive past at 50mph in a 30mph zone.

An officer caught up with Tovey and put on his flashing lights but he failed to stop, Mr Franck said.

Shortly before the crash Tovey turned right from the A456 Birmingham Road into Baldwin Road and narrowly missed cars travelling in the other direction, the court heard.

As he reached a bend in the residential street, Tovey was seen travelling at over 50mph. The officer came around the corner to find the Escort on its roof having knocked over a wall and lamppost.

Mr Franck said Tovey and his girlfriend were able to crawl out of the overturned car with the passenger suffering only minor injuries.

During his police interview, Tovey admitted travelling at high speeds in the pursuit, which lasted for less than a mile.

"I lost it on a corner, that was it. I went on to my roof," he said.

Investigators who inspected the car found its tyres were below the legal tread depth, the tyres were deflated and the battery was loose creating a fire hazard.

In addition the court was told Tovey's girlfriend did not have a driving licence so was not authorised to supervise him.

Martin McNamara, defending, said his client was very remorseful and naivety was the reason he did not stop for police.

"This is a case of a man who genuinely panicked when he saw a police car," he said.

"Had he stopped he would have received a fine and points on his licence and no more than that."

Recorder Graeme Cliff said: "You should not have been driving that car as you well know, hence your reaction when you saw the police car.

"Although the distance you travelled was less than one mile you were driving over the speed limit and had a passenger with you.

"You also damaged other property because of how you crashed the car."