Driver led police on 70mph chase the WRONG WAY along A444

He also ran through red lights and tried to run away afterwards



A young man drove the wrong way down the A444 in Coventry at 70mph as he led the police on a dangerous high-speed chase.

And it was revealed in court that Troy Stanton’s horrific driving, during which he also sped along residential streets at 60mph, was all because he had no insurance.

Rather than stopping for the police and getting a fine and points on his licence, he made a bid to get away.

But Stanton, 22, of Kentmere Close, Potters Green, escaped being jailed after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and having no insurance at Warwick Crown Court.

Instead, he was given a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work, banned from driving for 12 months, and ordered to pay £340 costs.

Sentencing Stanton, Judge Sally Hancox told him: “There’s probably nobody in this room who at some time in their life hasn’t hung around with the wrong crowd.

“Whatever was taking place between you and your two friends in the car, when you saw the police car with its lights illuminated, and aware you were driving with no insurance, you decided to try to outrun the police.

“Did you think for a split second you would succeed? Did you think you would successfully get away from the police by driving at twice the speed limit and going through red lights, the wrong way round roundabouts and going on the wrong side of a dual carriageway?

“Owning the car and it being registered to you, even if you did, all they’d have had to do was look at the number plates and go to your home the next morning.

“And for what? Had you stopped and admitted you had no insurance, you’d have had points on your licence and been fined - but you wouldn’t have found yourself in court for a criminal offence.

“But I’m going to give you an opportunity. I sincerely hope these proceedings have frightened you almost to death.

"This is your one and only chance.”

Stupid woman!

That's the second soft sentence this week reported against this judge. I have a feeling she has a soft spot for young men.