A disqualified driver who narrowly missed pedestrians and a horse as he mounted a pavement while fleeing from police through crowded streets during Appleby Horse Fair has been jailed.
Joseph Balfe, 24, was high on cannabis and had been released from prison only weeks before he headed north to the town with his partner for the famous traditional annual Gypsy and Traveller gathering.
Police officers were in a marked patrol vehicle carrying out static observations on day two of this year’s fair, on Friday, June 9, close to packed streets. They saw a Volkswagen Golf which, checks showed, was not covered by insurance.
“The vehicle was followed,” prosecutor Isabella Denn-White told Carlisle Crown Court. “An officer activated the blue lights and indicated for the vehicle to stop.
“The defendant (Balfe), who was the driver, hesitated and drove on to the nearside. He drove on to a pavement, undertaking vehicles in front, narrowly missing a horse-drawn trap and pedestrians. He proceeded to drive towards the centre of Appleby.”
Balfe headed on to Bridge Street, where he ran from the vehicle but was detained.
At the time, he was banned from getting behind the wheel following a previous danger driving offence, committed during 2020, for which he was jailed in August last year.
Following the Appleby incident, Balfe admitted dangerous driving, drug-driving, disqualified driving, no insurance and cannabis possession. A grinder and personal use amount of the drug had been found in the Golf when it was searched by police.
Defence barrister Peter Gilmour said Balfe had quickly confessed to his criminality, saying: “He never made any bones about it. He admitted it all straightaway in interview. He described his own behaviour as stupid.”
The dangerous driving lasted around a minute or so before he stopped his vehicle close to the busy town centre. “He didn’t want to cause anyone any injuries. He got out of his car and ran away. No damage or injury was caused,” said Mr Gilmour.
Judge Michael Fanning imposed an immediate 10-month prison sentence for offending he called sheer idiocy.
“Perhaps, given your offending, you didn’t think through what you were doing. That’s little comfort to those whose lives you put at risk,” said the judge. “It is just good luck that nobody has been hurt here.”
Balfe, of Hazel Avenue, Bury, must serve a three-year driving ban when released from prison, and compete an extended test before getting back behind the wheel.
