Danger driver led police on terrifying pursuit through Wigan streets

A motorist drove at double the speed limit, tearing through red lights, veering on to the wrong side of the road and mounting kerbs in Wigan as he tried to evade pursuing police, a judge heard.
Crossdale Road where the chase beganCrossdale Road where the chase began
Crossdale Road where the chase began

Nathan Lee was spotted driving a Volkswagen Touran badly by police on Crossdale Road, Hindley, during the early hours of February 19 this year, Bolton Crown Court was told.

Putting on their “blues and twos,” the patrol gave chase and tried to get the driver to stop. But he carried on and there followed was an eight-minute police pursuit around the streets of the borough, some of them residential.

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The hearing was told that the 29-year-old of Abbey Lane, Leigh, was seen to be driving in excess of 60mph in a 30mph area and was mounting pavements and kerbs, cutting corners, failing to stop at junctions and red lights and driving on the opposite side of the road.

A Volkswagen Touran similar to the one involved in the police pursuitA Volkswagen Touran similar to the one involved in the police pursuit
A Volkswagen Touran similar to the one involved in the police pursuit

The hearing was told it was a miracle no-one was hurt or even killed.

Lee eventually abandoned the car on Minehead Avenue, Leigh and was chased on foot into a field where he was finally arrested.

He then refused to give a breath sample at the police station.

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In court Lee pleaded guilty to both dangerous driving and failing to provide a breath specimen.

Bolton Crown CourtBolton Crown Court
Bolton Crown Court

The judge gave him a 12-month jail sentence but suspended it for two years.

He must also complete 25 days of rehabilitation activities along with 80 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for two years.

He must take an extended driving test before being allowed back on the road.

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Lee had initially also been charged for failing to stop for a uniformed officer, but this charge was dropped when it was revealed that the officer in question was in plain clothes at the time.

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