A MOTORIST whose 'erratic' driving attracted police attention sped away from officers, accelerating to 142mph on the A66 near Penrith.
When the pursuing officers eventually caught up with 25-year-old Lee Robert Maughan he blamed his terrible driving on being 'scared', Carlisle’s Rickergate court heard.
The defendant, of Great Asby, Appleby, admitted dangerous driving. Prosecutor George Shelley outlined the facts.
Maughan was first seen by the police at the wheel of his Mercedes Benz at 2am on September 19 last year, as he drove from Carleton Avenue in Penrith on to the Kemplay Bank roundabout and then on to the eastbound A66.
“The officers observed a red Mercedes Benz being driven erratically as it drove from Carleton Avenue on to the roundabout and the eastbound A66,” said Mr Shelley.
The defendant immediately put his foot down, reaching 120mph - but his speed continued to increase and he soon reached 138mph on a non-dualled part of the road where the speed limit is 60mph, the court heard.
Evan after the pursuing officers activated their blue lights and siren, said Mr Shelley, the defendant continued speeding away.
“The officers noted that his peak speed was 142mph,” said Mr Shelley.
Maughan then turned off the A66 towards Temple Sowerby, driving at well over 80mph on a road that presented multiple potential hazards and he repeatedly crossed the road’s double solid white lines.
The prosecutor added: “The pursuit continued and when the officer eventually stopped the vehicle, the defendant exited; he was the sole occupant. He commented that he had been scared.”
Maughan had no previous offending history, the court heard. After hearing the facts, magistrates concluded that their powers of punishment were not sufficient and sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court for sentencing.
The defendant will be sentenced at that court on November 7. In the meantime, he will be the subject of an interim driving ban.
He was granted unconditional bail until his sentence date, when the ultimate length of the driving disqualification will be decided. A background report on Maughan will be prepared by the Probation Service.
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