A DRIVER who led police on a pursuit towards Chester crashed at high speed on a bend.

Lee Chadwick, 32, had previously pleaded guilty to careless driving, driving without insurance or a licence, failing to stop when told to be police, and failing to give a breath test.

The court heard then he had gone at speeds in excess of 100mph on the A540 Parkgate Road, Chester.

Appearing for his sentencing at Chester Magistrates Court on Monday, April 26, Chadwick, of Arbor Avenue, Burnage, Manchester, was handed a suspended jail term.

Prosecutor Michael O'Kane said it was on the morning of October 29, 2020 when Chadwick was pursued by police and crashed into a chevron sign warning of a bend, near Crabwall Manor Hotel.

The sign ended up under the car, the airbags had gone off, the tyres had deflated and the windows had smashed, with police dashcam footage showing the car stopped on the wrong side of the road, at right angles to the flow of traffic.

District Judge Nicholas Sanders said it was "marginal", but he handed Chadwick a suspended sentence instead of immediate custody.

Prosecuting, Mr O'Kane said police had earlier seen the defendant with a female passenger at a filling station. One of the officers noticed Chadwick seeing the officer, then turned around back to their car and driving off.

The manner in which the Honda Civic was driving off alerted the officers' suspicions, so they pursued the vehicle, which then accelerated quickly, way beyond the 50mph limit, and police then activated the emergency lights.

The pursuit, at about 2.10am, ended when the Honda Civic crashed heavily.

Chadwick's speech was slurred and he at one point said he "had been going to the beach". His eyes were "glazed and large".

He was taken to hospital, but had deliberately refused to provide a specimen for analysis.

He had 11 previous convictions for 31 offences, including aggravated vehicle taking, drink-driving, failing to provide a specimen, driving while disqualified and driving while uninsured.

Defending, Claire Parrott said Chadwick was exhibited 'Jekyll and Hyde' type behaviour and really needed help to address his alcohol and drugs issues, which had caused him significant mental health problems in the past.

A pre-sentence report had recommended "a lengthy and extensive order" and Ms Parrott asked that the defendant be given that chance.

District Judge Sanders said it was "a serious incident" and Chadwick "should not have been over here [Chester], driving without insurance, and not the first time of failing to provide a specimen."

Chadwick was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and must complete a thinking skills programme and a six-month alcohol treatment programme as well as 25 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement. He was banned from driving for four years.

DJ Sanders said: "It's your last chance; I'm really giving you a big benefit of the doubt," adding he expected Chadwick to complete every aspect of the courses without fail.

Chadwick must also pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.