A STRONG smell of cannabis coming from a passing car triggered a police chase which saw the driver reach speeds of up to 80mph as he fled along residential Workington streets.

At Carlisle Crown Court, 21-year-old Kieran Carruthers was sentenced for an offence of dangerous driving.

The defendant, of Chaucer Road, Workington, admitted the offence.

Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting, said the defendant’s Seat Leon car came to the attention of the police at around 11.05pm on Saturday, May 28, when officers saw the vehicle pull out in front of them.

It was a busy night in Workington, with punters out in force to enjoy the televised final of the Champion’s League football tournament.

“Initially, there was no concern about the manner of [the defendant’s] driving,” said Mr Rogerson. “But despite the vehicle being a short distance away with the windows up there was a strong smell of cannabis and that led the officers to pursue the car.”

In the police chase that followed, the Seat was seen speeding along a variety of residential streets, often at more than double the speed limit.

The streets involved included Westfield Drive, Ashfield Road, Chaucer Road, Park End Road, Ramsay Brow and Christian Street.

The car eventually came to a halt when the defendant was boxed in by the arrival of a second police car.

Mr Rogerson said that the Seat’s speed was recorded at 75mph on Ashfield Road, and 80mph on Chaucer Road, where the defendant lives. On Westfield Drive and Hawkshead Avenue his car was seen doing 50mph.

With the Seat unable to drive away, the passenger who was with Carruthers ran away and was not traced. But Carruthers was arrested and later charged.

Mr Rogerson added that there was a point during the pursuit when a dog walker pulled his animals away from the road as the defendant’s speeding car rapidly approached.

'I could send you to prison'

Recorder Tony Hawks told the defendant, who had only one previous conviction for an unrelated matter, that he was 'just' able to suspend the inevitable jail term, given his prompt guilty plea and lack of previous offending.

“You were driving in residential areas at horrific speeds,” said the Recorder. "It’s fortunate there was nobody injured or killed, including yourself,” continued the Recorder. “I could send you to prison but it would only be for a short period of time

“Nothing would be done to address the underlying problems.”

The judge imposed a nine-month jail term, suspending that term for two years. In addition, the defendant was told he must complete 25 rehabilitation activity days and 250 hours of unpaid work in the community.

The judge added: “The most important thing is to ensure that this sort of behaviour by you never happens again.”

The defendant will not be allowed to drive independently again until after he has passed and extended driving test, added the judge.

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