Drink-driver jumped red lights in four-mile Walsall chase
A drink-driver led police on a four-mile pursuit through Walsall, driving at double the speed limit and shooting through red traffic lights, a court heard.
Dominique Haddow was more than twice the legal limit drink-drive limit as he raced at up to 60mph, with other vehicles forced to veer out of the way.
The 24 year-old had come to the attention of police as he travelled through Willenhall in a Ford Ka which had damage to the rear. He failed to stop for officers leading to a three to four mile pursuit before stopping in Lister Road, in Beechdale.
The Ka had initially stopped at traffic lights in Clarkes Lane but then went through them on red, a hearing at Walsall Magistrates Court was told. He was doing 55mph in a 30mph area.
He was then clocked doing around 60mph in Sandbeds Road and travelled along Bentley Lane with cars having to move out of his way.
Haddow, of Sandwell Street, Caldmore, admitted dangerous driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, using a motor vehicle without a test certificate, without third party insurance and when his alcohol level was over the limit, on May 11.
He recorded 78 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit for driving is 35.
Miss Jo Taylor, prosecuting, told the court yesterday that Haddow was driving the Ford Ka in Willenhall but was seen with damage to the bumper. He then failed to stop for police.
She said he overtook against on-coming traffic, used the wrong side of the road and exceeded the speed limit. She said other vehicles had taken evasive action.
The court heard while officers slowed down at points to prevent the risk of an accident, Haddow went on the wrong side of the road at blind junctions.
Miss Suki Thumber, defending, accepted there were 'serious aggravating features', including having no insurance, drink driving and being dangerous.
She agreed that 'the driving itself was very dangerous' and did not argue against the case being committed to a higher court for sentence.
Haddow was granted unconditional bail to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court for sentencing on July 9. Magistrates issued an interim driving ban.
