[A] Barrow teenager has been sent to prison for committing a number of driving offences.
Brandon Woolveridge, 18, of Ewan Close, was sentenced to 12 months behind bars after appearing at Barrow Crown Court today (March 6th) for the following offences:
- Driving a motor vehicle dangerously;
- Driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence;
- Use a motor vehicle on a road without third party insurance;
- Failing to stop after a road accident.
Woolveridge, who pleaded guilty to the offences, was also disqualified from driving for two years and would be required to take an extended test if he applied for a licence.
On April 6th, at around 9.15am, a green Ford Focus was seen travelling along Albert Street, towards Rawlinson Street, when it collided with a stationary vehicle. A witness saw two people get out of the car, inspect both, and then drive off again without leaving any details.
Police proactively sought to find the car and driver. Officers spotted the vehicle later that day on Duke Street, driving the wrong on a one-way street and contravening a No Entry sign. Despite indicating to the driver that he should stop, he drove off at speed through the rush hour traffic.
A police pursuit then followed in the town during which the driver overtook on the wrong side of the road, drove through red traffic lights, and overtook within the protective zigzags on a pedestrian crossing before the Focus collided with a transit van, a Volkswagen Golf, and then came to a stop.
Fortunately, no-one was hurt in these collisions.
In a final attempt to evade police and face being identified as the driver, Woolveridge and his front seat passenger climbed from the front of the vehicle to join the two back seat passengers. This was witnessed by police.
Officers arrested all four of those in the vehicle. (The other three were later released without any further action to be taken).
PC Simon Smith, of the South Mobile Support Group, said: “Woolveridge’s dangerous driving through Barrow, during a time of day when there were many pedestrians around, could have caused serious injury or a fatality. He not only put himself and his passengers at severe risk, but also those that were innocently going about their day in the town.
“Not only was he driving in a dangerous manner, but he was doing so without a licence and without insurance, and using that vehicle to commit further crimes.
“I am pleased to see that today he has answered for what he did, and hope this serves as a warning to other motorists who think they can get away such criminality. We will find you, and we will work hard to bring you before the courts.”
