Derbyshire teenager crashed car in field after 10-mile high-speed chase

A Clowne teenage driver lost control of his car and crashed into a field after leading police on a 10-mile high-speed chase through Derbyshire, a court heard.
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A judge told Lawrence Warren it was “just a matter of luck” no-one was killed or seriously hurt by the manner of the young defendant’s “appalling” driving.

Derby Crown Court heard how the 19-year-old reached speeds of 90mph during the pursuit taking speed bumps in residential roads at 70mph.

With a friend in the passenger seat he then lost it on a bend, shot into the field and tried to run away on foot.

Lawrence Warren was given a suspended prison sentence for dangerous drivingLawrence Warren was given a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving
Lawrence Warren was given a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving

Warren then claimed the police had kicked and punched him as they arrested him.

Handing the teen a six-month spell in a young offender’s institution, suspended for 18 months, Recorder William Harbage QC said: “You have brought shame on yourself and untold worry on your family and parents.

“The manner of your driving was appalling, you drove at 70mph in a built-up area over speed bumps and it was over an extensive distance.

“You went straight through red lights, lost control and ran off and if that is not b ad enough you had a passenger with you.

“The police were a bit rough with you when they arrested you and you only have yourself to blame.

“You can’t paint yourself as the victim.”

Stephen Kemp, prosecuting, said the offence took place just after midnight in November 19.

He said an unmarked police car spotted a Vauxhall Adam being driven erratically by Warren so followed him and then illuminated its blue lights to try and get him to pull over.

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Mr Kemp said instead, the defendant put his foot down and sped off.

He said: “He switched his lights off and sped at 70mph in a 30mph limit, went over a number speed bumps in excess of 70mph in a 30mph limit and reached a top speed of 90mph.

“He lost control on a right hand bend and went on to a field where he tried to run off.

“This was prolonged, persistent and he was carrying a passenger.”

The pursuit began in Clowne and went through Barlborough, Renishaw and Killamarsh before coming to an end back in Clowne.

Warren, of Penny Bun Lane, Clowne, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

He has no previous convictions prior to committing the offence, the court heard when the teen appeared on Tuesday, February 2.

As part of the suspended sentence he was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and was handed a three-month electronically-monitored curfew.

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Larina Veale, mitigating, said her client had left school at 16 with seven GCSEs and initially enrolled on an engineering course and apprenticeship.

She said he now works in Sheffield as an apprentice vehicle technician.

Miss Veale said: “Because the police car behind him was unmarked he did not realise at first it was the police and he panicked.

“This was an ill-judged and isolated incident that won’t be repeated.”

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