A DRIVER who led police on two high speed pursuits in the same night in Penrith while high on drink and cocaine has been jailed.
Police hit 60mph in a 30mph town zone during an initial bid to catch Jack Mitchell’s Vauxhall Corsa at 2-20am on July 16 after his vehicle missed theirs “by inches”, but were forced to abandon the chase and he got away.
But less than two hours later a second pursuit began after Mitchell, 26, was spotted in Penrith town centre.
Carlisle Crown Court was told an officer’s speed in residential areas reached 60-70mph during that second incident. This ended as the Corsa – which had been on the brink of losing control – struck parked cars at Huntley Avenue and destroyed the wall of a house. Damage in excess of £8,000 was said to have been caused.
Mitchell of King Street, Penrith was found to be more than twice the drink-drive limit, and almost 10 times the legal level for a major cocaine metabolite.
He was sentenced today (WED) having admitted dangerous driving, and driving with alcohol and drug levels above the specified limits.
Mitchell, who had offered his apologies to the people whose property was affected, was jailed for 12 months. He must serve an 18-month driving ban when released and pass an extended re-test.
“It is pure good fortune that you didn’t kill anybody that night, frankly, driving in the way that you did,” Judge James Adkin told him.
