Shropshire Star

Jailed: Disqualified driver caught after Ludlow high-speed police chase

A serial thief and disqualified driver who led police on a high speed chase around Ludlow town centre has been jailed for three years.

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Lee Stanton

Lee Stanton was seen by police with a stolen number plate taped to the Citroen Picasso he was driving on June 6, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

Mr Guy Mathieson, prosecuting, said he was pursued by officers before being arrested about 15 minutes later.

He said that at times the 41-year-old accelerated to speeds of 60mph in 30mph zones and drove through red traffic lights.

Stanton abandoned the car at Tesco before running off, but he was captured by police.

Mr Mathieson said he was also driving while disqualified and was found with a small amount of cannabis and amphetamine.

Earlier, the court was told that he had stolen a VW Golf and a van from areas of Ludlow. Keys to the VW Golf were taken from a leisure centre changing room where the owner of the car had been visiting.

Both vehicles were recovered and there was no damage to either of them.

Stanton, of no fixed abode, admitted dangerous driving, being in possession of a quantity of cannabis and amphetamine, failing to supply a specimen of blood and driving with no insurance and whilst disqualified.

He also admitted two charges of vehicle theft, theft from a vehicle, handling stolen goods and breaching a suspended prison sentence.

The court was told he has previous convictions for 228 offences dating back to 1991.

Mr Brendan Reedy, mitigating, said he had mental health problems but was engaging with the mental health team.

He said Stanton had a long history of offending but there were many causes for it.

Recorder Martin Jackson said he had multiple previous convictions for driving while disqualified, and had never held a full driving licence. Speaking about the police chase, Mr Jackson told him it had taken place in an area where there were narrow streets and pedestrians.

He said: “At the end of the chase you drove the vehicle up a bank at such speed it took off.

“It was simply a matter of good luck no-one was injured or killed as a result of your driving.”

He told Stanton that he posed a “serious risk” to other road users.

Mr Jackson jailed him for 36 months and banned him from driving for five years, starting from the time he gets released from prison.

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