Jail me Dangerous driver pleads with judge after writing off parked cars

A DRIVER smashed into two parked cars, leaving them write-offs, after leading police on a chase through residential streets at more than 90mph.

Scott Hill fled across gardens and into a house but was tracked by the police helicopter and arrested.

At Bolton Crown Court he asked to be jailed after telling Recorder Ciaran Rankin that he would be unable to comply with any community order.

Recorder Rankin obliged and 29-year-old Hill, who smiled and laughed as he was led from the dock, was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Richard Haworth, prosecuting, told how the blue Vauxhall Corsa Hill was driving was spotted by police in Plodder Lane, Farnworth just before 3.30am on November 16 2019.

It was being driven dangerously and, during a pursuit, officers learned it was one of 18 vehicles stolen from the Cartime car sales garage in Bury, the night before.

After briefly losing the car, it was seen again on St Helens Road.

“The vehicle’s speed reached in excess, from time-to-time, of 90mph in a 40mph zone,” said Mr Haworth.

The chase continued towards Westhoughton, with the Corsa heading through red lights and onto the wrong side of the road, travelling at 70mph in built up streets.

Hill turned into the Washacre estate and was doing loops of the narrow residential streets when he lost control of the car and crashed into two parked cars on Pine Grove.

“A police helicopter went on to track the defendant who jumped, really a marathon course â€" quite extraordinary the number of fences he jumped over to try and evade capture,” said Mr Haworth.

Police were directed to a house where they found Hill upstairs.

“He had changed his clothes, which were sopping wet, and he was arrested,” said Mr Haworth.

The court heard that both the cars Hill crashed into, one of which was a £,5,500 Honda Accord belonging to a nurse, were written off by insurers leaving their owners out of pocket.

Hill, of Townsfield Road, Westhoughton and formerly of Crompton Street, Farnworth, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and having no licence or insurance.

The court heard that he has a lengthy criminal record for 16 offences including wounding, burglary and assault.

Damian Zelazowski, defending, stressed the roads were quiet during the pursuit and no one was injured.

"Whilst it is in a densely populated area and through a small town, it was at a time when the majority of people are in bed. It is not like it is outside a school at 3.30pm," he said.

Recorder Rankin was told that Hill has worked in a bakery and as a mechanic but had to stop due to anxiety, for which he is receiving treatment.

"He does not feel that he will be able to engage with a community-based order," said Mr Zelazowski. "He simply asks that Your Honour impose a custodial sentence."

Sentencing him, Recorder Rankin told Hill that he has "very little insight" into the offences he has committed.

Hill was banned from applying for a driving licence for 18 months and will have to take an extended test.

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