The judge said it was the worst case of dangerous driving he’d seen on CCTV in 30 years
A grandmother led police on a 100mph speed chase for half an hour in what a judge described as “like something out of a horror movie” – and the worst case of dangerous driving that he had seen on CCTV in 30 years. Sarah Proctor was driving a Volkswagen Polo dangerously through Beverley and she came to a stop only when she turned into a field and crashed into a gate near Skirlaugh, a court heard.
Proctor, 44, of Front Street, Lockington, near Beverley, admitted dangerous driving and possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. She also admitted failing to provide a roadside breath sample and having no insurance as well as failing to surrender to court in August.
Jazmine Lee, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that the drugs offence was committed on behalf of others and it had been to feed her own habit. Humberside Police officers spotted a Volkswagen travelling on false number plates at around 3am on March 23.
When they indicated for the car to stop, the Polo driver sped off. Dashcam footage from a police traffic car was shown in court and it went on for 30 minutes. It showed the car straddling the white lines in the middle of the road and travelling in excess of 100mph at times and speeding in built-up areas.
It went along Grovehill Road and into Coltman Avenue, Beverley, where there were parked cars on either side of the road and speed bumps. Police pursued the car along Brooklands Close and Grange Way, where it was clocked at 90mph in a 50mph limit. On Grange Way, it was seen at 109mph.
The car sped through Driffield Road roundabout and onto Woodhall Way, driving in excess of double the speed limit. Proctor, who had two male passengers in the car, took a blind bend on the wrong side of the road and twice jumped red traffic lights before going into New Walkergate and Lord Roberts Road.
On Champney Road, she went straight across a crossroads without stopping to give way. The car was then pursued along Albert Terrace and on to Newbegin, where she drove the wrong way down a one-way street.
As the CCTV continued showing the pursuit along Lairgate in Beverley, Judge John Thackray KC said: “It is like something out of a horror movie. It is so bad. It would only have taken a reveller to step out and it is death by dangerous driving.”
The court heard that the Polo had been stolen in January. It was seen driving at excess speed on Benningholme Lane and on to Swine Road, Skirlaugh, where it crashed into a gate. There were no injuries, but police found a stash of cocaine and £1,760 cash.
Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Proctor had a difficult upbringing, which led to poor mental health. She cared for her ill partner and had grandchildren.
Judge Thackray said: “This was the worst police chase I have seen on CCTV in 30 years. It was truly horrendous with speeds of over 100mph in Beverley town centre, going the wrong way and not stopping at junctions.
“You put so many lives at risk, not just yourself, but those in the car with you and the police. Goodness knows what might have happened if anyone had stepped out.”
Proctor was jailed for three years and eight months and she was banned from driving for three years and 10 months. She must pass an extended retest before she can drive legally again. The £1,760 cash seized will be given to St Paul’s boxing gym, Hull, to be used to divert people away from drugs.