August 4, 2020 4.20 pm This story is over 46 months old

Banned drink driver sped away from police at 80mph

Police had to chase him through the city

Kevin Baker was jailed for 15 months. Photo: Lincolnshire Police

A banned motorist who drove at 80mph in a bid to evade police was jailed at Lincoln Crown Court on Tuesday.

Kevin Baker, who was over the limit and had no licence or insurance, sped away after police spotted him driving on Broadgate in Lincoln in the early hours of the morning on September 13 last year.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said that Baker headed south over Pelham Bridge and on to Canwick Road before making an illegal right turn into Ripon Street.

“He slowed for speed bumps but then increased his speed. The officer activated his blue lights but Baker sped off.”

Baker ignored a no entry sign and went the wrong way along Monson Street before turning left onto the High Street and then heading up Cross O’Cliff Hill and into Bracebridge Heath.

“Going up Cross O’Cliff Hill the defendant reached about 80mph. He turned into Canwick Avenue and then right into Lichfield Road in an attempt to lose the officer,” said Mr Howes.

Baker abandoned the Vauxhall Corsa on Norwich Drive and both himself and his passenger fled. The two were tracked down by police with the assistance of a dog and a drone with heat seeking capability.

Baker, who was the driver, failed a breath test with the reading being 58mgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath compared to the legal limit of 35mgs.

The court was told that he had previous convictions for drink driving among a “significant number” of former motoring convictions.

Baker, 31, of Blenheim Road, Lincoln, admitted charges of dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and driving without insurance as a result of the incident on September 13, 2019.

He was jailed for 15 months and banned from driving for three years and seven months.

Judge John Pini QC, passing sentence, told him: “You have a truly shocking record for motoring offences. There must be an immediate custodial sentence.”

Michael Cranmer-Brown, in mitigation, said: “Foolishly he had been drinking on this night and panicked.

“He has been out of trouble for four years. He is prepared to do anything to avoid custody.

“His principal mitigation is that he lives with his grandmother. She is not a well lady. He helps her up in the morning and does her shopping. Life is going to be very grim for her in his absence if he has to go to custody.”