A BANNED driver who led police on a high speed daytime pursuit on residential Carlisle roads has been sent to prison again.
Andrew Murphy was locked up for 10 months during 2017 after he outran police during a chase in the city.
In 2015 he had been handed a previous jail term for driving dangerously and causing a head-on road smash which left a pensioner hurt.
But, despite still being disqualified, 26-year-old Murphy got behind the wheel a Vauxhall Combo van on June 9 this year. Police in a marked vehicle had been asked to look for the vehicle, which was seen at Dalton Avenue at around 3-30pm.
Carlisle Crown Court heard Murphy sped away through Raffles and on to Moorhouse Road, reaching 70mph in a 40mph zone and causing the drivers of both a bus and car to brake and avoid collisions.
As smoke was seen coming from the van, Murphy stopped on Housesteads Road.
He later admitted dangerous driving, no insurance, driving while disqualified and cannabis possession.
David Wales, defending, said in court of Murphy and his offending: “He is somewhat staggered by his own stupidity.”
Jailing Murphy for 14 months, Judge Brian Cummings QC told him: “It must be obvious to you, if you keep doing this, it is only going to get worse – particularly if you kill or injure someone.”
Murphy, of Whernside, Carlisle, must serve a two-year driving ban when released from prison, and pass an extended test.
