A Lincolnshire driver who had never held a licence was jailed after Lincoln Crown Court heard how he drove at 110 mph in an attempt to evade police.
Tracy Hercules was driving in March this year a Mercedes Benz in the Spalding area when a police car approached with its blue flashing lights and siren on.
The police vehicle was on its way to an unrelated incident, but Hercules mistakenly believed that it was him that the officers were interested in and sped off.
Edna Leonard, prosecuting, said Hercules pulled out in front of the police car and then drove at 110 mph in a 60 limit area in a bid to get away.
Miss Leonard said Hercules was then involved in a 25-minute pursuit along the A16 at Surfleet, onto Hop Pole and Deeping St Nicholas and then onto the A1175.
He twice went through red traffic lights and caused other drivers to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
At one point he smashed into a traffic bollard while turning right and damaged his vehicle.
Smoke was coming from the tyres but Hercules continued driving at high-speed going through Baston at 60 mph in a 30-limit area causing fear to two pedestrians.
Police deployed a stinger device in a bid to stop him but he drove through it and again reached 100 mph before losing control of his car and ending up in a ditch.
Hercules emerged from the car uninjured and was arrested soon afterwards.
The court was told that Hercules had previous convictions for driving without a licence and driving with no insurance.
As a result of the incident on March 8 this year Hercules, 22, of Wellington Way, Market Deeping, admitted charges of dangerous driving, having no licence, having no insurance and possession of a small amount of cannabis found in his car.
He was jailed for eight months and banned from driving for 22 months.
Recorder Charles Falk, passing sentence, told him: “This was seriously bad driving.
“You put your life in danger, the lives of police officers in danger and the lives of members of the public in danger.
“It is aggravated because you were not insured and have never passed a driving test. You were not entitled to drive a car yet you had purchased this car.”
Leanne Summers, in mitigation, said Hercules’s mother died when he was 12 and he had no contact at that time with his father.
By the age of 15 he was living on his own in rented accommodation and she told the court: “He had to find his own way and sometimes in doing so he has not made the best decisions.”
Miss Summers said that Hercules later moved in with his partner and her family which gave him stability but at the time of the incident had moved out.
She said Hercules is now back living with his partner and they are expecting a child later this year.
“He is now working as a landscape gardener. There is a support network in place that was lacking for him as a child. He is remorseful and willing to engage with the probation service.”
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.