Man admits colliding with police vehicle during car chase in Skegness

John Timothy Cassidy of Drummond Road, admitted dangerous driving on December 30, 2019, but saidthrough his solicitor that he denied driving at excessive speed and through a red light.

Prosecuting, Dale Brownless said the manner of Cassidy's driving had raised suspicions that he was driving with excess alcohol and so officers were looking for him.

He said he was seen in his Ford C-Max at 7.30pm in Burgh Road and followed until he pulled into the Aldi supermarket car park.

Mr Brownless said an officer pulled alongside him in a marked police vehicle and Cassidy looked at him and then immediately drove off, undercutting another vehicle as he left the car park.

He said Cassidy was chased at speed by several police vehicles using sirens and blue lights through the streets of Skegness, crossed a red traffic light, went through a service road and drove at speed through a pedestrian precinct after mounting a raised kerb.

He said that eventually a police officer blocked the road with his marked police vehicle and Cassidy drove into it, damaging the car and injuring the officer.

Mr Brownless said Cassidy was given a breath test which measured only 18 micrograms of alcohol in his breath, half the permitted level of 35.

Cassidy told officers that he had been getting ready to stop but admitted he wanted to get away because he was depressed.

Mitigating, Michael Alexander said Cassidy had no previous convictions and although he accepted he drove away, he denied that he drove at speed or though a red traffic light.

He said Cassidy did admit that he panicked and that police were chasing him but he denied driving fast although he admitted he did collide with the police car.

The magistrates ruled that their sentencing powers were insufficient and sent him to the Crown Court for sentence on a date to be arranged.

He was given an interim driving ban and allowed unconditional bail until the crown court appearance.