WATCH: Danger driver led police on 16-minute night-time chase
A DANGER driver 'gurned' at police, dropped his speed to 10mph and even tried to flee with burst car tyres during a night time west Cumbria pursuit.
Without permission on January 11, Jack Lowrey, 21, took a Ford Focus courtesy vehicle which had been provided to his father by garage staff while his own was being mended.
Carlisle Crown Court heard Lowrey was initially seen driving in an erratic manner.
'It was clear to those who witnessed him that he was under the influence of something,' said prosecutor Tariq Khawam.
A police constable saw the Focus on Moorclose Road in Workington, and tried to stop it. The Focus came to a halt and the driver appeared to be struggling to start the engine.
Jack Lowrey of Workington (Image: Cumbria Police)
But as the officer got out of his own vehicle, the Focus started and drove away. 'Although not at any great speed,' said Mr Khawam. 'The PC provided a running commentary that the driver was not capable of driving.
'He describes him as 'gurning' (pulling a face) as if under the influence of drugs or drink.'
A member of the public reported seeing the Focus in the Lillyhall area towards Whitehaven. A second police officer tried to stop it, activating blue lights and the siren of their patrol vehicle with Lowrey's speed dropping to only 10mph at one stage.
Lowrey clipped a kerb and yet, even after the tyres were then burst with a stinging device, he continued to try and get away until the Focus was forced by police into a wall. This ended a 16-minute chase.
Lowrey, previously of Distington, was arrested and taken to a police station where he refused to provided an evidential sample, and shouted abuse.
When brought to court he admitted dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, failing to provide a specimen, no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
The court heard that in late February this year, Lowrey had been jailed for 16 months by a judge for offending which included making a threat to kill a man while holding scissors to his throat.
Lowrey's barrister, Marion Weir, told how he went 'out of control' after his father was handed a lengthy jail term in 2023. 'That is something that weighed heavily on this young man,' said Miss Weir. 'He took that badly. He used alcohol as a coping mechanism.'
Lowrey had been given his first taste of prison this year. 'He is keen to be released as soon as possible, accepting that this court will pass a sentence which may result in him being in there a little bit longer,' added the barrister.
Judge Nicholas Barker said he had 'little hesitation' in finding that Lowrey was 'heavily intoxicated' during the police pursuit.
'This was a determined attempt, by you, to evade the police over what was in fact a lengthy pursuit,' concluded the judge.
He imposed a 10-month prison sentence. Lowrey must serve a 30-month driving ban when released and must pass an extended test before being able to drive on public roads.
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