He was driving at 90mph in a 30mph limit, the court heard
Lee Strawson admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, having no insurance and driving while over the drug limit(Image: Hull Live)
A reckless driver was “bored” and showing off to his friends when he hurtled along roads at frightening speeds of 90mph as well as driving on the wrong side of the road. Police chased him as he sped through a country village and headed through a roundabout the wrong way.
Banned driver Lee Strawson suddenly pulled in, abandoned the car and ran off – but he later returned to the vehicle after his highly dangerous antics, Hull Crown Court heard. Strawson, 25, admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, having no insurance and driving while over the drug limit on September 21 last year.
Stephen Welch, prosecuting, told an earlier hearing that police saw a Volvo car and a scooter side by side on the A166 in the village of Wetwang, west of Driffield, at about 1.45pm. The scooter rider was apparently talking with the driver of the car through the window.
In Garton-on-the-Wolds, east of Wetwang and nearer to Driffield, the Volvo, driven by Strawson, made off at speed and increased its speed to 90mph in a 30mph limit. The car was driven on the wrong side of the road and it went the wrong way around a roundabout.
It knocked down a roadside sign, causing damage to the car. The police followed the car until it came to a stop and was abandoned nearby. An officer spoke to a passenger in the car.
Strawson had left the car but he returned and told police that he panicked when he saw them trying to stop him. A drugs test revealed that he was over the legal limit.
It was discovered that he was a banned driver. During police interview, Strawson made no comment to all questions. He had previous convictions and he had been banned from driving for three years in July last year.
Sentence on Strawson had been deferred on March 26 for him to prove that he could keep out of trouble. At a resumed hearing, Brogan Riley, mitigating, said that Strawson had complied with the terms of the deferment.
She told the earlier hearing: “This is serious offending. He has never sought to diminish that. He does not bring a tall story before the court. He knows that he should not have driven at all, let alone in the manner that he did.
“He acted in the way that he did because he wanted to impress his friends. He is easily led and he was bored. It was impulsive thinking.
“He made an escape from that vehicle. His conscience was triggered and he voluntarily returned to that vehicle.
Judge John Thackray KC told Strawson at the latest hearing: “I gave you a chance and you seem to have taken it. You pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
“It was a bad piece of driving, speeding at up to 90mph. It could so easily have caused death or serious injury and you would be facing many years in prison.”
Strawson, of Wyther Park Place, Armley, Leeds, was given an eight-month suspended prison sentence and 150 hours’ unpaid work. He was banned from driving for three years and he must pass an extended retest before he can drive legally again.