Wigan motorist spared prison after high-speed chase

Cameron Irvine had already pleaded guilty to a single charge of dangerous driving on a previous appearance before Wigan and Leigh magistrates.

Now standing before a Bolton Crown Court judge, he was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, but the term was supended for 18 months.

The hearing was told that at about 12.35am on January 17, 2020, a police patrol vehicle was stationary at the junction of Wigan Road and Leigh Road, in Leigh, when a silver Ford Fiesta passed them driving along the latter carriageway.

The patrol recognised the vehicle as it had previously failed to stop for officers only a week before.

The police put on their flashing blue lights and tried to get the Fiesta to stop, but it sped off and the officers gave pursuit.

The court was told that the chase lasted up to 11 minutes and during that time, prosecutors said, Irvine’s vehicle reached speeds of up to 80mph and he failed to stop at several red traffic light junctions.

Officers tracked the car though Westhoughton and into Hindley where Irvine finally abandoned it.

The driver made off on foot but, after further patrols arrived in the area to lend support, Irvine was eventually tracked down and arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

As well as the suspended prison sentence, Irvine was ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work and he was banned from driving for two years. He will only be allowed back on the road after taking an extended driving test.

Irvine must also pay £149 to victim services.

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