A DANGEROUS driver was warned by a court that his actions were lucky not to have caused more serious consequences.

Mark Mepham drove at more than 80mph in a bid to evade pursuing police officers after they were notified that he was not insured for the car he was in.

The 23-year-old attempted to flee on foot in a park after realising his attempts to escape police in his car were futile.

But he was eventually identified thanks to the passenger who was still in the car.

Mepham appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday after pleading guilty to charges of dangerous driving, driving without insurance and failing to stop for police.

Joshua Sanderson-Kirk, prosecuting, explained how officers were on patrol on August 14 when an ANPR check flagged that a passing car had no insurance while traveling along Woolston Grange Avenue towards Birchwood.

They followed and activated their emergency equipment, however Mepham accelerated away at speeds of more than 80mph on the 40mph dual carriageway.

A pursuit was declared after he failed to stop, with the defendant driving at speeds in excess of 30mph in a residential area and contravening two roundabouts.

Unable to escape police, he left the vehicle on Ordnance Avenue on foot and headed into Birchwood Forest Park, but he was identified by the passenger still inside the vehicle.

Mepham accepted to police that he was the driver and that he knew he had no insurance, which is why he made off from police. He also admitted driving dangerously and said he was sorry for his actions.

He was spotted by police travelling along Woolston Grange Avenue (Image: Google Maps)

He was spotted by police travelling along Woolston Grange Avenue (Image: Google Maps)

Mr Sanderson-Kirk asked magistrates to transfer the case to crown court, which has greater sentencing powers.

But this was challenged by Jane Hedges, defending, who referenced her client’s no previous convictions, the credit he should be afforded for his guilty pleas at the first opportunity, his full co-operation with police, full admission and his expression of remorse.

“He clearly accepts his actions caused danger to other road users and he is grateful no one was injured as a result of his actions,” she added.

“He is not used to being in a position where he is confronted with arrest, he panicked and tried to get away, which is something he now regrets.”

Before passing sentence, the chair magistrate said: “We have listened to what has been said on your behalf, the fact that you have no previous convictions, you co-operated with police and have shown remorse.

“However, this was a serious offence that could have been a totally different kettle of fish had someone else been using that road at that time, with more serious consequences.”

Mepham, of Goldfinch Lane in Birchwood, was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.

He was also given a community order including 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, must abide by an electronically monitored curfew for eight weeks and was fined £213.

He was disqualified from driving for 24 months and must pass an extended retest before driving again.