A FARMER involved in a high-speed police pursuit rammed an armed response vehicle before driving away over fields, smashing through a gate and fences and then blundering into a river.
A Carlisle Crown Court judge told 25-year-old Christopher Stainton that he would probably be dead if he had committed such an offence in the USA.
The defendant was given a suspended jail sentence for behaviour that his lawyer described as “madness” and “utter stupidity.”
Stainton, from Renwick, near Penrith, had admitted dangerous driving, failing to cooperate with an initial breath test and three counts of causing criminal damage – to field gates and turf, three fences and a police car.
Brendan Burke, prosecuting, said police first stopped the defendant's Ford Ranger pick-up at 5.30am on May 10 in Kirkby Thore. There was a previous history of minor road traffic accidents, so they signalled for him to stop.
“He did stop but when the police approached him and asked him to turn off the ignition, he refused and became abusive,” said Mr Burke. “He then abruptly took off at high speed and a pursuit began.”
Bizarrely, Stainton did the same thing three times, stopping, yelling abuse at the police officers and then speeding away. The pursuit saw him driving through Bolton village – an area with a 30mph speed limit – at 68mph.
When he stopped the third time, the defendant used his pick-up to reverse ram the armed police response vehicle three times. After this, as the pursuit began yet again, police used a tactical manoeuvre to force the Ford Ranger off the road.
Yet even after this, Stainton simply drove away across fields. The officers lost sight of him but spotted him again on the A66 at Longmarton - but again he drove away over fields, smashing through gates and fences.
Livestock had to flee in panic as he drove through them.
“His car was eventually found in a river,” said Mr Burke. “A police dog handler was then involved and the defendant was found hiding on the riverbank. He refused a breath test for alcohol and a saliva test for drugs.”
Mark Shepherd, defending, said it was extraordinary that Stainton had acted as he had. Looking back, Stainton did not blame the police. Fearful of what would happen, he had made bad decisions and he continued making them.
“He is now trying to put matters right and apologises to everyone concerned,” said Mr Shepherd. This included making good the damage he had caused to the property of local farmers, said the lawyer.
READ MORE: Curfew for Carlisle woman who assaulted Police
A background report had highlighted the defendant’s maturity. But Mr Shepherd said there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
Recorder Julian Shaw said: “One wonders what would have happened if this behaviour had occurred in the USA. He would not be here.” The judge noted that until March this year, Stainton had never been in trouble.
His behaviour that day was inexplicable, said the judge.
“You ended up a pathetic sight, cowering on the banks of a river with your vehicle parked mid-stream. I wonder how that conversation went at breakfast the next day with your parents when you have to explain it to them.”
Noting that such an offence deserved prison, the judge said Mr Shepherd’s submissions and the support Stainton had from his family had persuaded him to give the defendant a chance.
The judge imposed ten months jail, suspended for two years.
Stainton must observe a 26-week 11pm to 6am curfew and complete 240 hours of unpaid work as well as 20 days of rehabilitation. He was given a 30 month driving ban and must pass an extended retest before driving independently again.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel