Unlicensed driver jailed after 90mph police chase

Pierce's silver car was brought to a halt by police after a high-speed chase through Warwickshire

An uninsured and unlicensed driver has been jailed after speeding through red lights at 90mph (144.8kph) during a police chase.

Harry Pierce, 29, from Aylesford Street in Leamington Spa, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Warwick Crown Court after admitting dangerous driving.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to stop and driving without a licence or insurance.

Warwickshire Police described how Pierce, who had a 19-year-old female passenger, sped from Leamington Spa to Kineton on the afternoon of 1 July.

Officers started following his silver Skoda Fabia after noticing it doing a wheel spin at traffic lights about 17:00 GMT, police said.

An officer in an unmarked car indicated he should pull over on Baker Street, but instead he sped off, police said.

The officer followed Pierce as he sped on to Tachbrook Road, Queensway, Heathcote Lane and Othello Avenue towards Bishops Tachbrook, then the Fosse Way from Gaydon to Kineton and witnessed him jumping red lights.

He was finally arrested on Fishers Road in the centre of Bishops Itchington after crashing into barriers closing the village off for a carnival.

PC Craig Wonfor said it was fortunate no-one had been injured by Pierce's dangerous driving.

“The centre of Leamington town was very busy with shoppers and people enjoying the local hospitality venues, and Pierce showed no regard for their safety as he sped off through the town," he said.

"As an officer who witnesses the devastation caused to families by collision I am pleased his sentence has removed him from the roads for the next few years."

Pierce was banned from driving for three years and five months during Friday's court hearing, ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge and take an extended retest before he could drive again.