Man Sentenced for Dangerous Police Pursuit
A driver led police on a high-speed chase along a riverbank and narrow country roads in Lincolnshire, according to recent reports. Josh Lake, 30, from an unspecified location, was driving a silver X3 BMW fitted with false plates when police attempted to stop him in the early hours of Thursday, July 2.
High-Speed Police Chase
The incident began at around 12.10 am on the A17 when Lake failed to stop for the police. An ensuing chase ensued at Sutton Bridge Port, leading police and the rogue car along the banks of the river Nene at high tide. Inside the vehicle with Lake were a man and a woman, both in their twenties. Officials have stated these individuals were at "significant risk" during the chase, with a real possibility of the car entering the high-tide waters.
Stinger Device Used to End Pursuit
The pursuit ended when police deployed a stinger device to deflate the car's tyres. Lake later pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, disqualified driving, driving without insurance, failing to stop, and possession of a controlled substance. He was initially fined £50 for failing to stop, a charge dealt with at an earlier hearing at Lincoln Magistrates Court.
Sentences Handed Down
Upon an October 17 appearance at Lincoln Crown Court, Lake was given an eight-month sentence, suspended for two years, for dangerous driving. Furthermore, he received a four-month sentence, suspended for two years, for disqualified driving, and a two-month sentence, suspended for two years, for possession of a controlled drug. He is also banned from driving for 18 months and must pass an extended re-test to drive again.
Police Comments
"Our officers are highly trained in pursuit driving, they constantly assess the risk to other road users and themselves. This driver didn’t have a full driving licence, he’s never passed a test and was disqualified already; he put his passengers at great risk and anyone else who may have been using the roads," commented Inspector Carrie Diamond from the Armed Roads Policing, Lincolnshire Police. She added, "We will always target drivers who should not be on the roads."