103mph drink-driver who led police on 14-mile pursuit spared jail

Matthew Oliver York, 23, previously pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to dangerous driving and drink-driving when he appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January 5.

Appearing at Chester Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday, February 2, York, of Church Street, Davenham, Northwich, was told by Judge Anna Vigars he had jeopardised not only his life but that of the police officers in pursuit that night.

Prosecuting, Philip Clemo said York – driving a Mercedes with a personalised number plate – reached speeds of 100mph three times during the pursuit, but bizarrely also slowed down for two roadside speed cameras.

It was 1.40am on December 20, 2020 when a police officer driving towards Nicholas Street, Chester saw the Mercedes driven by York travelling at speed in the opposite direction, going through a temporary red traffic light.

The officer turned his emergency equipment on and followed the Mercedes through St Oswald's Way up to The Bars Roundabout, then along the A51 Boughton. Conditions were wet and it was raining at the time, although due to the time and the coronavirus restrictions, traffic was very light.

The Mercedes was travelling at 45-50mph on the 30mph road up to Vicars Cross Road, passing the junction with the A55, then travelling at 78mph on the A51 through Littleton, where the limit is 40mph.

York then went through Stamford Bridge at 50mph, where there was a temporary 30mph limit, before going around the Tarvin Roundabout at 60mph, taking the Tarvin exit and travelling at 50mph.

Mr Clemo said York travelled at 50mph when national speed limit restrictions applied (60mph), but then drove up Kelsall Hill at 100mph in the 70mph zone, then went through the Gresty's Waste traffic light junction at 85mph.

Heading on to the A556 Delamere, York reduced his speed to 50mph for the speed camera, before accelerating to a top speed of 103mph, still with police pursuing him.

He slowed to take the bend towards Sandiway and travelled at 80mph in a 40mph zone, then braking heavily for the 40mph limit speed camera.

York then accelerated again to 100mph, before reducing his speed to 80mph on the dual carriageway, before finally turning into School Lane, Sandiway at 10mph, where police cars boxed him in to end the pursuit.

The 14-mile pursuit had lasted about 15 minutes.

York failed a roadside breath test and in custody gave a reading of 46 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35.

He had no previous convictions.

Defending, Peter Barnett said York had that night been for a meal at Chester Racecourse and had not expected to consume alcohol, but was invited back to an apartment with associates and had consumed too much to drink.

He could have booked into a hotel for the night or got a taxi back to Northwich, but he was "clearly not thinking about his actions".

By the end of the pursuit he had "seen sense" by pulling into a side road and slowing down, having seen that what he was doing was "lunacy", "driving like an idiot".

York had worked front of house for an Indian public house and had trained in fashion design at college, becoming a model and opening an online store to sell clothes, and had most recently been working at a friend's clothes store.

York could only "apologise for his behaviour".

A number of references had been submitted in York's favour to the court.

Judge Vigars told York: "This is the first time you have appeared before the court. The way that you drove was extraordinary.

"It was dangerous – you jeopardised not only your own life but that of officers."

But Judge Vigars added that, due to York's lack of previous convictions, the fact he was 23, had led "an industrious life" and was engaging with probation services showed the prison sentence could be suspended.

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York was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He must complete 180 hours unpaid work and a three-month 7pm-6am curfew, plus £150 court costs and a victim surcharge.

He was banned from driving for 18 months and must take an extended retest at the end of the ban before driving again.

As he left the dock, wiping tears from his eyes, Judge Vigars told him: "Try to remember the fear that you feel today before getting back before the wheel."

York responded: "It was just a silly mistake."