Ex-cop in nude led police on car chase

York Crown Court heard that Andy Easterby, 30, of Leeds, and his girlfriend had been on a day trip to the seaside resort when they decided to have sex in her car at the end of the day.

But Chris Smith, prosecuting, said “eagle-eyed” CCTV operators had tipped off police something was amiss when they spotted that he was naked as he drove through Scarborough town centre at 3am.

Firearms officers, who were on duty at the time, tried to stop Easterby, but he drove off at speed sparking the chase.

The court heard that, with smoking tyres, Easterby twice went through No Entry signs, driving the wrong way down several one-way streets, and turning off his headlights in a bid to get away.

He was eventually arrested crouching behind a wheelie bin “sporting nothing but a pair of shoes and socks”.

Easterby pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was jailed for six months on Monday.

He was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to retake his driving test.

Judge Stephen Ashurst told the former neighbourhood police team member: “This is a difficult day, I know, for you. I have to take account not only of the strong personal mitigation in your case, but also the public interest in seeking to deter people from driving dangerously, particularly when they are pursued by police, where the sensible course is to stop.”

It was the second time the former York policeman had broken the law – in 2009, he was banned from driving for a year after he was caught drink-driving.

Following his conviction, he was forced to resign from the police after eight years in the job that had been his childhood dream.

Chris Moran, defending, said: “Two times in his life he has done something reckless, stupid and impulsive and both times he has paid a considerable price for it.”