[A] DANGER driver who reached speeds of 100mph with his lights off during a night-time police pursuit in and around Carlisle has been sent to prison.
Robert Forsyth, 37, admitted charges of dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, using a motor vehicle on a road without third party insurance and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
At around midnight on 19 January 2018, a BMW was seen speeding along Eden Bridge. Officers followed and used blue lights to request the driver pull over.
Forsyth stopped and waited for the police officer to approach on foot before speeding off. Officers pursued around the city, over Denton Holme and towards Dalston, with Forsyth driving at speeds of more than 100mph. Other drivers were forced to take evasive action to avoid the BMW.
In the village of Dalston the BMW, on a country road untreated by grit, skidded onto a grass verge. However, Forsyth still refused to desist and the car was stopped a further two times as officers attempted to block its path, with the driver refusing to obey.
Officers then successfully deployed a stinger to take out the tyres of the vehicle. However, Forsyth continued to drive at more than 100mph until officers were able to make tactical contact, spinning the BMW 180 degrees to force a stop.
Forsyth then climbed over his front seat passenger in an attempt to escape officers. Forsyth was aggressive and uncompliant, to the extent officers were required to deploy a taser and incapacitation spray to finally bring the incident to a conclusion.
After his arrest, Forsyth was searched and a lock knife was found on his person.
Forsyth admitted the lock knife was his own. However, in his police interview, Forsyth refused to answer any questions put to him.
Judge James Adkin jailed Forsyth, of Colville Terrace, Carlisle, for a total of 30 months and imposed a two-year driving ban. It was, the judge told him, “frankly just about as serious as police chases get”.
Police Constable Jack Stabler, of Cumbria Police’s Mobile Support Group, said: “When a dangerous driver refuses to stop for police and tries to speed away, the potential for someone to be hurt is greatly increased.
“On this occasion, officers were able to use their high level of training to attempt to box him in, deploy a stinger and use tactical contact to be able to bring the pursuit to a conclusion without injury to anyone involved.
“The roads of Cumbria are safer today with Forsyth behind bars.”
