Danger driver topped 120mph during police pursuit in Carlisle

Rory Williams, 20, took off at speed in a Mazda in the Beaumont Road area of Currock, after police detected cannabis coming from his vehicle on the afternoon of April 1 last year.

Williams travelled at up to twice the 30mph limit within the city, before hitting 100mph as he headed down Newbiggin Road towards the M6.

Police were chasing behind, with blue lights illuminated and sirens sounding.

He overtook one vehicle on a blind bend and went the wrong way around a roundabout.

“On the motorway the vehicle reached in excess of 120mph,” said prosecutor Alexandra Sutton.

The car was seen weaving between lanes, and continued to drive with one tyre deflated and another completely missing after a stinger device was deployed by police.

They eventually brought his vehicle to a stop on the A6 at Plumpton, near Penrith, as it crashed into a metal gate after officers made “tactical contact”.

It emerged Williams – caught hiding behind a wall after initially fleeing the scene – was not insured, held only a provisional licence and was over the legal cannabis limit at the time of the 15-minute incident.

He’d shown “disregard for others and a high risk to the public”, said Ms Sutton, who told how Williams was quizzed by police.

“He said he was glad he had been caught and described his actions and manner of driving as dangerous, reckless and stupid,” she added.

Williams admitted dangerous driving and was jailed for 10 months.

Recorder Tom Gilbart heard of the defendant’s difficult start to life and a diagnosis with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“This was a shocking and quite appalling piece of driving,” said Recorder Gilbart.

“It is only good fortune which prevented a very serious accident from happening.”

Williams – Carlisle-based but latterly of Northleach Close, Redditch, Worcestershire – must serve a two-year driving ban when released from custody, and will also be required to take an extended test.