Uninsured driver who wrecked parked cars in Dudley police chase jailed
A driver lost control of a car on false plates while attempting to escape from pursuing police at more than twice the speed limit, a judge heard.
The silver Vauxhall Vectra with Stephen Emanuel behind the wheel clipped a kerb, spun across the road and careered into two parked cards, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
Police had been alerted by a passer by who saw the registration number being taken from the same model of car in Netherton, Dudley.
Officers spotted the 25-year-old defendant's Vectra bearing the stolen plates in Halesowen Road, Netherton shortly afterwards.
The vehicle ignored a request to stop, performed a 'U' turn and accelerated away in the other direction, forcing other drivers to brake and swerve out of the way as he raced racing through a red light at the junction with Saltwells Road, explained Mr David Bennett, prosecuting.
The Vectra reached 80 mph in a 30 limit while speeding towards Cradley Heath along Halesowen Road before Emanuel, who had neither driving licence nor insurance, lost control while attempting to negotiate a right hand bend.
The prosecutor continued: "The nearside wheel hit the kerb, the car spun and crashed into two parked cars, causing considerable damage."
A pair of pliers and makeshift mask were found in the defendant's car which was impounded by police following his arrest on March 7.
Mr Colin McCarraher, defending, said Emanuel, who had previous convictions involving 66 separate offences, had been turning over a new leaf after finding work and meeting a new partner who was now pregnant.
"He has now lost their home and feels deeply ashamed after falling in with bad company. It was the worst possible decision to get involved in this incident," added the lawyer.
Emanuel, previously of Seamore Road, Lye, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was jailed for eight months with a 16 month driving ban.
Judge John Wait told him: "I do not know what you were doing that night but you were driving on false plates and had every reason not to want to encounter the police.
"You drove off at very high speed, endangering other motorists before losing control, causing untold worry and distress to people whose parked cars were badly damaged by an uninsured driver."
