Driver jailed after 10mph police pursuit
Jack Lowrey was spotted driving erratically through parts of Cumbria on the evening of 11 January as if "under the influence of something", Carlisle Crown Court heard.
During a 16-minute "chase", the 21-year-old drove slowly with his lights off before having his tyres punctured by a police stinger and being forced to stop against a wall.
Lowrey, who had been given 16 months in February 2024 for threatening to kill someone while holding scissors to their throat, admitted dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking.
Previously of Distington but currently of no fixed abode, he also admitted to failing to provide a specimen and having no insurance or licence.
He will also be banned from driving for 36 months after his release and will have to take an extended test before getting behind the wheel again.
The incident began when Lowrey took a red Ford Focus courtesy vehicle without his family's permission.
He had initially attracted the attention of officers while sitting in the vehicle on Moorclose Road in Workington, before then heading south towards Whitehaven where the blue light pursuit began.
Upon his arrest, he was taken to a police station where he refused to co-operate and shouted abuse.
Lowrey's barrister told the court how he had gone "out of control" and started to use alcohol to cope after his father was handed a lengthy jail term in 2023.
Passing sentence, Judge Nicholas Barker said he had "little hesitation" in finding that Lowrey was "heavily intoxicated" during what "was a determined attempt, by you, to evade the police".
Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram
HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man released without charge after rape arrest
A man arrested on suspicion of rape in a park has been released without charge. Cumbria Police said a woman was attacked in Castle Park, Whitehaven, between 01:25 and 02:30 BST on Sunday. A 44-year-old man from Whitehaven was arrested in connection with the attack but has now been released with no further action taken, police confirmed. The rape is still being investigated and the Cumbria force is encouraging anyone in the area at the time or who has information, to get in touch. Detectives and uniformed officers are also carrying out reassurance patrols in the area. The victim is being supported by specialist officers and partners, police said. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. More on this story Man arrested on suspicion of rape in park Related internet links Cumbria Constabulary
Time Business News
5 days ago
- Time Business News
Stolen Cars UK 2025: The Essential Guide for Used Car Buyers
Why This Matters More Than You Think If you've ever bought a second-hand motor in Britain, you'll know the ritual. A bit of friendly chatter with the seller. Pop the bonnet, nod approvingly. Prod the tyres as if you're checking for secrets. But here's the cold truth: none of that will save you if the car you're eyeing was nicked three months ago in Birmingham and is now wearing cloned plates from a quiet street in Kent. The only real safety net? Running a proper history check — ideally starting with a free car check before you even think about handing over cash. Optional? Not in this climate. 1. The UK's Theft Problem in Black and White We're not talking urban myth. The numbers are real—and grim. • 61,343 vehicles stolen in 2024, per DVLA figures. • That's roughly 168 cars a day—about one every 8½ minutes. • A modest 6% drop from 2023, but still far higher than before the pandemic. • Less than half of stolen vehicles are ever recovered. Once gone, many cars are chopped for parts or shipped abroad before the owner's had time to make a brew. 2. The Crooks' Favourites Some models are practically theft invitations. Year after year, the list barely changes. Most Stolen Cars in 2024 1. Ford Fiesta – 4,719 stolen 2. VW Golf – 1,946 3. Ford Focus – 1,855 4. BMW 3 Series – 1,415 5. Toyota RAV4 – 1,452 6. Mercedes C-Class – 1,362 7. Range Rover Evoque – 1,284 8. VW Polo – 1,211 9. Audi A3 – 1,175 Qashqai – 1,124 Own a Fiesta in a high trim like Zetec or Titanium X? Statistically, you're more at risk than your neighbour with a six-year-old Micra. 3. Where the Risk Runs Highest According to official data, some postcodes see far more theft than others. • London – 11.8 thefts per 1,000 registered vehicles • West Midlands – 7.7 per 1,000And within those, certain districts have a reputation that's been earned over years. If you're parking overnight in Aston (Birmingham) or Tottenham (North London), it's fair to assume someone's watching — and not in a neighbourly way. 4. The Methods in 2025 Forget joyriding for kicks. This is organised, profitable and alarmingly slick. • Relay attacks – Extending the signal from your key fob so they can open and drive off in under 60 seconds. • OBD hacking – Plugging into the diagnostics port to code a fresh key.• Container exports – Disappearing into shipping crates bound for Eastern Europe, Africa or the Middle East. The whole job can be done before you've finished stirring sugar into your tea. 5. Why a History Check is Non-Negotiable A proper check isn't about box-ticking — it's about spotting trouble before it costs you. With Reg Plate Check, you can: • Flag a stolen VIN instantly • Detect cloned number plates • See if finance is still owed • Spot insurance write-offs • Uncover mileage tampering This isn't paranoia. It's self-defence. 6. One Painful Lesson A man in Manchester thought he'd found a bargain BMW 3 Series last year. One month later, ANPR cameras pinged it as stolen from Surrey. The plates were clean. The VIN wasn't. Police took the car there and then. He got neither the motor nor his money back. A free check could have stopped it before it started. 7. Keep What's Yours Even the sharpest history check can't stop a future theft — so stack your defences. • Steering lock – Looks old-school but still puts thieves off. • Faraday pouch – Stops keyless fobs being 'read' from outside your house. • Tracker or immobiliser – Both slow thieves down and help police find your car.• Smart parking – Well-lit and overlooked beats a dark side street every time. 8. Before You Buy Run through this before you sign or pay: 1. Run the reg through Reg Plate Check. 2. Match VINs on the logbook, windscreen, and chassis. 3. Check MOT history for sudden mileage drops. 4. If it smells dodgy — walk away. No deal is worth the risk. The Bottom Line Car theft in Britain is fast, smart and, too often, consequence-free for the criminals. But you can swing the odds back in your favour. Start with a proper car history report. Use the free checks. Layer your security. And keep your investment exactly where it belongs — on your driveway, not in a container heading for another continent. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
American Press
02-08-2025
- American Press
Four-vehicle crash results in death of LC man
(Metro Creative Services) Special to the American Press A 43-year-old Lake Charles man died after a four-vehicle crash Thursday morning near the intersection of N. Martin Luther King Highway and Medora Street. Lake Charles Police responded to the accident at approximately 9:54 a.m. Prior to their arrival officers were informed an occupant of one of the vehicles was unresponsive. During the preliminary investigation, officers learned a 2008 Ford Focus struck the rear of another vehicle that had stopped at a red traffic light. The collision resulted in injuries to a male passenger in the Ford Focus, who was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers were able to identify the male passenger as Freddie Brown. The Calcasieu Parish Coroner's Office notified the next of kin on the same day. Brown was an unrestrained passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash. The driver, who was operating the Ford Focus in which Brown was a passenger, was transported to a local hospital for serious injuries and later transported to a Lafayette hospital. Standard toxicology test are pending at this time. Two other drivers who were involved were transported to a local hospital for minor injuries and released. The crash is still under investigation by the Lake Charles Police Department Traffic Division. Lead investigator is Sgt. Shaun Touchet. Lake Charles Police remind motorists to always buckle up while riding in a vehicle. Seatbelts can save lives. People with information are asked to call Lake Charles Police at 337-491-1311 or anonymously leave a tip on the Lake Charles PD app. You Might Like
