A young driver who hit speeds of up to 80mph along residential Workington roads has narrowly avoided being sent to prison.
Kieran Lee Carruthers, 21, initially gave two police officers no cause for concern when his Seat Leon pulled out in front of them just after 11pm on Saturday, May 28.
At that time, the town centre streets were busy following screenings of the Champions League football final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, Carlisle Crown Court heard today.
But when the officers swiftly began to detect a strong smell of cannabis from the Seat, blue lights were activated. But Carruthers failed to stop and instead accelerated away, hitting 50mph, 60mph and 75mph-80mph — all in 30mph zones — as a chase ensued.
“The vehicle essentially doing loops of residential streets,” said prosecutor Gerard Rogerson.
Carruthers braked harshly at one stage and travelled through two no entry signs before finding his path blocked by a second police vehicle. A passenger ran away and was never traced, while Carruthers was arrested.
“On occasion the car had passed pedestrians including people walking their dogs. One dog walker had to pull dogs back from the road as the vehicle approached at speed,” one police officer had noted.
Carruthers, of Chaucer Road, Workington, admitted dangerous driving in the Moorclose, Salterbeck and town centre areas.
His lawyer, Sean Harkin, did not give mitigation after the judge, Recorder Tony Hawks, said of the defendant: “He is lucky. He is just going to escape going to prison.” That was in view of Carruthers’ age, lack of previous convictions and guilty plea.
“You were driving in residential areas at horrific speeds. It is fortunate nobody was injured or killed, including yourself,” the judge told Carruthers.
A nine-month jail term was suspended for two years. Carruthers must complete 250 hours’ unpaid work, a rehabilitation requirement and 18-month driving ban. He must also pass an extended re-test before getting back behind the wheel.
Recorder Hawks said of the punishment: “The most important thing is to ensure this sort of behaviour, by you, never happens again.”
