Teenage Peugeot van driver used hard shoulder to escape police in 97mph Wakefield chase
A uninsured teenager who took police on chase at almost 100mph before crashing has been spared custody.
Salis Smith used the hard shoulder on the M62 to shake off chasing officers, and when that failed, overtook on blind corners on A-roads.
The 19-year-old admitted dangerous driving, having no insurance and criminal damage.
Leeds Crown Court heard that the white Peugeot Partner cut across a police car heading towards the M62 eastbound near Lofthouse.
But after the blue lights were illuminated for him to stop, he put his foot down, reaching 80mph, then 90mph before hitting 97mph.
He undertook vehicles and dangerously used the hard shoulder to get past.
He eventually exited onto Wakefield Road near Rothwell where he continued to drive at 90mph, overtaking on a blind corner.
Smith got onto Methley Lane and turned into the Amazon depot warehouse, but quickly realised it was a dead end.
He exited again and a chasing police car had to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Smith eventually hit a garden wall on Moor Avenue in Stanley.
Officers boxed him in and after an attempt to barge through the police cars, he was arrested, prosecutor Zanisha Herbert said.
Smith, of Baulkins Grove, Sutton St James, Lincolnshire, then gave a no-comment interview at the police station. The court heard he has no previous convictions.
Mitigating, John Bottomley, said: “He is ashamed of how he drove and acted on that day.”
He said Scott had been screened and found his maturity has “deficits” that leads him to act impulsively.
Judge Ray Singh told Smith: “Your drove in one of the most reckless fashions the court has observed.
“It was only good fortune that nobody was seriously hurt or injured.
“It might be that you have learned your lesson, but time will tell.”
He gave him a 12-month sentence, suspended for 24 months, and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation day with probation.