A Carlisle driver who hit 80mph in a 30mph zone to evade police was told by a judge he was lucky he had not killed himself or anyone else.
Taylor Martin, 21, was behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Golf GTi he had taken without permission from a relative when he was spotted at around 11.30pm on February 14 in the area of Parkhouse Road, on the Kingstown Industrial Estate in Carlisle.
Martin initially stopped for an officer who pulled in front of the Golf but then simply drove off before the PC had a chance to approach.
He then drove dangerously as he travelled south on Kingstown Road, Scotland Road, Stanwix Bank, Eden Bridge and Newmarket Road.
Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard Martin reached a top speed of around 80mph in a 30mph zone and that, during the incident, he passed through roadworks where people were on duty.
When later interviewed, Martin admitted being the driver and that he made off from police.
He admitted charges of dangerous driving, taking a vehicle without consent, failing to stop for a police constable, no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Defence solicitor Adele Graham, mitigating, said Martin was a man of previous good character who had been continually co-operative throughout the court proceedings and was remorseful.
Martin, of Ullswater Road, Carlisle, was given a 20-week prison sentence which was suspended for a year by deputy district judge Peter Hayes.
“You are an incredibly lucky young man,’ the judge told Martin. “Because driving at those speeds, if you had hit anybody or hit a vehicle, not only could you have seriously injured or killed yourself, you could have seriously injured or killed somebody else: someone who just happens to be out working on the roads; or just somebody walking on or crossing the road.
“You are not in control when you are driving at that speed, going through pedestrian areas.”
Martin must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 10 days; and a 12-week electronically monitored night time curfew.
Martin was also banned from driving for 18 months, and must pass an extended re test before his licence is returned.
