WATCH: Teenage driver from Peterborough leads police on pursuit through Wisbech
A teenage driver from Peterborough who led police on two separate road pursuits has been handed a driving ban.
Cambridgeshire Police said the boy, who was 17 at the time, was arrested by the Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) after a short pursuit through Wisbech on 14 February.
“He had caught their attention after overtaking them in a black Renault Modus which was missing a number plate, had a smashed rear window, and the exhaust hanging off,” a force spokesperson explained.
“The officers tried to stop the car after ANPR checks revealed the vehicle was not taxed or insured, but it made off at speed.
“During the pursuit, the Renault reached speeds of up to 60mph in a 30mph zone and overtook dangerously numerous times before the teenage driver got out with the car still moving.
“Officers eventually detained him and found cannabis on him, but he refused to co-operate with a roadside drugs test.
“He was charged with offences and was due to appear in court but failed to attend.
“On 30 March, three days after his court date, he again failed to stop for traffic officers in March and led them on a short pursuit through the town, before fleeing and eventually being chased down.”
The teenager, from Whittlesey, appeared at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 15 April, and has since turned 18.
Police said he pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving, two counts of driving without insurance, two counts of driving without a licence, two counts of possession of cannabis, two counts of failing to stop for police, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, and failing to co-operate with a preliminary test.
He was handed an 18-month driving ban and a 12-month referral to a Youth Offender Panel.
PC Brady Slack, who investigated, said: “During these pursuits the driver reached high speeds in residential areas and put himself and other road users at risk.”