A disqualified and cocaine addict driver who led police on a lengthy high-speed pursuit near Warrington – reaching more than 100 mph – has been put behind bars.
An experienced traffic officer involved in the chase described it as “one of the most dangerous pursuits he had ever been involved in,” said the judge, Recorder David Knifton, KC.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Robert Porter was spotted by police officers in an unmarked patrol car by the Burtonwood junction of the M62 as he headed westwards. They began following and he came off at junction 7 and sped off towards Widnes.
Jailing him for 16 months Recorder Knifton, said that the officers had indicated for his Vauxhall Mokka to stop but he ignored them and led them on a 15-minute pursuit.
During the incident, which began about 10.10 pm on January 14 this year, he reached speeds of more than 100 mph, went on the wrong side of residential roads, full of parked cars, at more than 70 mph and through red traffic lights.
The 33-year-old also drove at three times the 20 mph limit on other roads.
“You eventually brought your vehicle to a stop but reversed into the police car causing about £4,000 worth of damage. You then drove off again and there was a further pursuit,” said the judge.
During this a van he was undertaking was forced to take evasive action but eventually Porter stopped and he and his passengers ran off but he was detained.
Dashcam footage of the pursuit was played at Liverpool Crown Court during the hearing. The defendant failed to provide a specimen for drug analysis.
Recorder Knifton said, “It was a prolonged deliberate course of dangerous driving involving a number of highly dangerous manoeuvres and it was impaired by your consumption of drugs.”
Porter, of Bancroft Road, Widnes, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously, while disqualified, without insurance and failing to stop.
He was disqualified from driving for two years and eight months and ordered to take an extended driving test.
Iain Criddle, prosecuting, said that Porter had seven previous convictions for 17 offences including driving dangerously, under the influence of alcohol and while disqualified.
The dad-of-two had previously been ordered to carry out an extended driving test before getting back behind the wheel but had not done so.
Joanne Maxwell, defending, said “He concedes the awful manner in which he drove.”
He had made “a poor decision in assistance of a friend. He knew he had not undertaken an extended driving test.”
She said there were others in the car one of whom was insisting “he did not stop and to put his foot down as he was wanted by the police and his poor judgment led him to comply with that request.”
He has been addicted to cocaine for five or six years and knows he needs to address that addiction. “He is desperate to receive assistance.”
