Drug-driver crashed during police chase through Telford
A 22-year-old factory worker who was involved in crash while his car was being followed by police has avoid jail been given a suspended prison sentence.
Daniel Edwards was speeding and was also under the influence of cannabis when he failed to stop in March this year.
At Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday, Edwards was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years.
Judge Jim Tindal said Edwards’ judgement on the day had been ‘appalling’ and he should not have been behind the wheel of his car.
He said Edwards found himself in court as a result of ‘hanging around with the wrong people’ and getting into smoking cannabis.
Edwards, of Charlton Street, Wellington, was also ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work and was banned from driving for two years.
He had admitted charges of dangerous driving, driving under the influence of drugs, failing to stop, driving without insurance and possession of a Class B drug.
The court heard Edwards red Peugeot car was seen around noon on March 26 driving up and down Whitchurch Road in Oakengates by officers who were on patrol and involved in an unrelated police operation.
Mr Robert Edwards, prosecuting, said the officers were suspicious and followed the Peugeot and put on the blue lights but the defendant accelerated away.
He said the defendant did not stop but his speed initially was not excessive until later increasing to 65mph in a 40mph limit.
Near the junction with King Street and Regent Street the defendant’s car crashed with a VW Golf driven by shopkeeper Mohammed Youseff.
Mr Edwards said Mr Youseff had been knocked unconscious and suffered rib and foot injuries and his car was badly damaged.
He said the defendant was found to be in possession of a small amount of cannabis and failed a road side drugs test, but an alcohol test was negative.
Subsequent analysis of a blood sample showed Edwards reading for cannabis was level 10. The legal limit is two.
Edwards had told police that he had seen the blue light and panicked because of the drugs but claimed he had not been speeding.
Mr Paul Smith, for Edwards, said his client had no previous convictions and was reducing his use of cannabis and had a job working shifts with local company.
He said coming to court and the possible penalty for his actions had been a salutary lesson for his client
