Banned motorist drove at 90mph in frantic police chase starting in Lincolnshire town

A banned motorist reached speeds of 90mph in an attempt to get away from pursuing police officers, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

Lewis Perkins was spotted by an officer as he drove along Chapel Street, Market Rasen, but when the officer approached him Perkins sped off down Oxford Street in the town.

Edna Leonard, prosecuting, said the officer activated blue lights and the sirens on his police vehicle but Perkins did not stop and instead went through a red traffic light.

The officer followed Perkins along Waterloo Street, Church Lane and on to Caistor Road as Perkins reached 60mph.

Miss Leonard said: “Other motorists were having to take avoiding action.

“When he was out of the built-up area he was driving at speeds in excess of 90mph.

“Eventually he crashed into a road sign causing his vehicle to come to a stop.

“He sat in his vehicle. He apologised to the officer. He appeared to be annoyed with himself.”

The court was told that Perkins was under a six month driving ban at the time.

Perkins, 21, whose address was given as c/o Coronation Road, Market Rasen, admitted charges of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance as a result of the incident on April 22 this year.

He was given a nine month jail sentence suspended for 12 months with 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to complete an extended retest before he can drive again.

Terry Boston, in mitigation, said that Perkins only became aware of his driving ban a couple of days before the incident.

He said that Perkins had separated from his girlfriend and was subsequently “sofa surfing” without a permanent address.

As a result he did not attend the court hearing where he was banned from driving and the matter had gone ahead without him being present.