Banned driver jailed for 120mph car chase

Anthony Baxter was spotted behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza in the early hours of June 26 in Wakefield city centre.

A check revealed the vehicle had no insurance so officers decided to stop the car, Georgina Coade prosecuting told Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

Reinforcements and a helicopter were called in after Baxter drove through a red light headed out of the centre. On to the M1 three police cars tried to box him in and gradually slow him down.

However the Subaru rammed the car ahead of him causing him considerable damage and broke out of the box.

He then drove off and on to the M62 reaching 120mph as officers drove at 140mph trying to catch him. Fortunately, the road was quiet.

After two miles they saw debris falling off his vehicle from damage caused by the collision and soon afterwards he pulled over and stopped. He was found to have a passenger with him.

The court heard he was disqualified for dangerous driving in 2007, drove while disqualified twice in 2008, and in February last year was given a suspended jail sentence for driving while disqualified.

Baxter, 24 of Rolston Road, Hornsea, was jailed for a total of 22 months and banned for four years after he admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and with no insurance.

John Sleightholme, for Baxter, said like many young men he was obsessed with cars "and at times behaves foolishly and irresponsibly."

He was persuaded by another young man to drive to Wakefield and had panicked when the police began to follow. He realised now how stupid he had been.