By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 11:42, Friday, 10 August 2012

A driver who sped off from a police patrol finally stopped after his car rolled onto its side and flipped 360 degrees.

Richard Cardy, 22, of Grasmere Avenue, Whitehaven, had been out with friends and decided to drive home, despite having no insurance, as he was the only sober one.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how he was driving his friend’s black Vauxhall Corsa on Skiddaw Road, Whitehaven, when he was 60 metres from a police patrol and sped off.

The patrol followed, said prosecutor Becky McGregor, and he was seen dropping off one of his passengers on Mirehouse Road before heading towards St Bees on a B road.

“The police officer put the blue lights on but he failed to stop,” Miss McGregor said.

“He was following at speeds of 70mph on a 60mph road.

“The policeman saw the car turn a bend and hit a verge.

“The car rolled on to its side then back to its wheels, and it was facing the officer and coming to a stop,” she added.

Defence barrister Mark Shepherd said one of Cardy’s friends had been in Captain Senny’s and drunk a litre of vodka and seven pints. Cardy was the only sober one of the three and decided to drive his friend’s car, even though he was not insured to do so.

Cardy, who admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop, and driving without insurance, was banned from the roads for 12 months, given a community order, and told to pay £300 costs.

First published at 11:26, Friday, 10 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk