Blackpool Audi driver who hit 90mph in late night police chase through Preston before crashing avoids prison

A Blackpool driver who clocked 90mph during a late night police chase through the streets of Preston has avoided prison.

A court heard Halmat Hassan, from Blackpool, drove his Audi around the Deepdale, Fulwood and Ribbleton areas of the city trying to shake off pursuing officers before crashing into a wall. Police, who thought they were chasing a suspected kidnapper, found a young woman in the wreckage of the vehicle, a judge at Preston Crown Court was told.

But Hassan fled the crash site on foot and was arrested at his home hours later. Both airbags had been activated in the impact but neither he nor the woman passenger were injured.

Hassan, 24, a tyre fitter of Ansdell Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to a single charge of dangerous driving. He was given a 12-month jail term suspended for a year. Recorder Kristian Cavanagh told him: “You had a passenger in the car and you were driving at very high speeds – over 90mph in 30mph areas.

“You went through red lights on more than one occasion and ultimately collided with a wall. You fled leaving your passenger in the car. Mercifully both of you were not injured.”

Car chase

The court was told that at around 11:43pm on January 26 police were contacted by a member of the public reporting a possible kidnapping. That offence had not been proceeded with in court.

The informant gave details of the vehicle and the driver and around two hours later an officer on mobile patrol in Preston was made aware of the details of a Red Audi which was suspected to have been involved in that alleged kidnapping. The officer then spotted the wanted Audi in the Deepdale area, already being pursued by another police vehicle.

The car was chased along a number of 30mph roads including Deepdale Road, Watling Street Road and Lower Bank Road travelling initially at speeds of 80mph, rising to 90mph when it drove along Watling Street Road for a second time.

It was later spotted in Gamull Lane as it collided with a wall. Hassan leapt from the vehicle and ran off, leaving his passenger still inside the damaged vehicle.

When he was arrested at home in Blackpool at 11:15am he was taken to Preston police station to be interviewed. In a prepared statement with his legal representative, he denied driving the car or being involved in the chase. He then gave “no comment” responses at all questions.

Remorse

Defence barrister Rick Holland urged the judge to impose a suspended sentence rather than send his client to prison immediately.

Recorder Cavanagh told Hassan: “You were charged with a more serious offence, but the Crown offered no evidence (in that case). You have spent some time in custody on remand for that matter.”

He said that Hassan had no previous convictions, was in work and also did voluntary work in the community. He had shown “a significant degree of remorse" and appeared determined not to commit offences again.

“You are fit to perform unpaid work in the community and I am minded to suspend the sentence.”

In addition to the suspended sentence Hassan was ordered to do 80 hours unpaid work and complete 20 rehabilitation activity days. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to sit an extended driving test before he is allowed back behind the wheel.