Danger driver did a three-point-turn on A19 and refused to stop for …
A dangerous driver who drove the wrong way down a slip road before doing a three-point-turn on the A19 has been jailed.
William 'Billy' Charlton, refused to stop for police after officers spotted his reckless actions and signalled for him to pull over. But he continued to drive for over six miles before a stinger devise eventually stopped him in his tracks.
The court heard that Charlton was driving home to Washington after socialising with friends in Sunderland[1] on January 22 last year. But as he approached the A19, the 58-year-old became "confused" by a right turn sign and entered the wrong slip road.
He proceeded to drive in the wrong direction towards the A19 carriageway before being spotted by officers in a marked police car. The officers reported seeing the headlights of Charlton's Daihatsu Syria coming towards them on the slip road.
Judge Julie Clemitson told the court: "The emergency lights in the police vehicle were illuminated to try to attract your attention to your error and make you stop before you entered the carriageway. You ignored the lights and continued past the police vehicle onto the A19.
"A highway maintenance vehicle also came to a stop a little further back along the carriageway and illuminated its orange emergency lights whilst pulling askew across the middle lane. You stopped short of the maintenance vehicle and set about a three-point-turn in the middle of the carriageway, crossing all three lanes - the two main lanes of the A19 and the exit lane."
The court heard that during the manoeuvre Charlton was approached by one of the police officers who was concerned that he had made a mistake or there was a medical emergency. However, Charlton, of Barmston Court, Washington, ignored the officer and continued to drive past him, travelling back up the slip road - this time in the right direction.
Judge Clemitson added: "Given your actions, it was not surprising that the police officers wanted to pull you over and speak to you. However, despite them indicating for you to stop by reactivating their emergency lights as you turned onto the correct slip road to travel onto the A19 Northbound, you continued to ignore them."
Charlton, who was on bail awaiting sentencing when the incident occurred, continued to drive up the A19 for around six miles before being brought to a stop with the help of a stinger device. The court heard that although Charlton was not speeding during the incident, the manner in which he was driving gave an impression that his ability to drive had been impaired.
However, as Charlton did not provide a breath test at the scene there was no evidence regarding how much alcohol was in his system at the time.
Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court[2] via video link from HMP Durham, Charlton, who was representing himself, denied dangerous driving.
Judge Clemitson sentenced Charlton to 10 months in prison for dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from driving for 17 months and must pass an extended driving test after that time should he wish to drive again.
References
- ^ Sunderland (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Newcastle Crown Court (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)