Terrified drivers swerved to avoid smashing into a stolen car being chased by police through West Derby .
Joshua Farrell, 20, left a motorcyclist in the gutter in an attempt to escape before crashing into another vehicle on the East Lancs Road, on Monday. He was later arrested and told police he had been forced to drive the stolen Ford C Max to pay off a £600 drug debt.
Farrell, of Townsend Lane, Clubmoor, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and failing to stop at the scene of an accident at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today.
Lionel Cope, prosecuting, said the chase started on Lower House Lane, West Derby, when officers spotted a car, which had been reported stolen, waiting at a red light.
He said: “As he passed they turned around to take up a position behind the car, but the driver appeared to be aware of them and accelerated away, weaving between lanes one and two between other vehicles.”
The court heard the officers activated their emergency lights and gave chase in the direction of Dwerryhouse Lane.
Farrell headed right onto Oak Lane before hitting a red light at the junction with Croxteth Hall Lane.
Mr Cope said: “He went onto the wrong-side of the road to avoid the stationary traffic, causing a silver Nissan to make an emergency stop, before heading onto Croxteth Hall Lane, reaching 50mph and overtaking other vehicles.”
He added that other drivers were forced to brake sharply and a motorbike rider was forced to swerve into the gutter to avoid a collision.
The chase came to an end on the East Lancs Road after Farrell shunted a black Volkswagon Golf and briefly tried to run away on foot.
Risha Bedi, representing Farrell, said her client had been told to drive the car to pay off a drugs debt.
She said: “This is something that has been hanging over him for the last few months, causing him to fear for his own personal safety. This debt has been following him around so badly he has been forced to leave his own home.”
The magistrates’ bench refused jurisdiction and committed the case to Liverpool Crown Court, where Farrell is due to be sentenced on December 16.
He was remanded in custody.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/