Police car chase topped 120 miles per hour

Dec 5 2007

A STOLEN car was driven at speeds of up to 120mph and evaded two road blocks during a high speed chase with police.

Items were thrown from the car during the chase – one striking the windscreen of a pursuing police car, Warrington Crown Court was told.

Jack Clarke, 20, a Liverpool man of no fixed address and Rachel Barker, 22, of Clives Road, Southdene, Kirkby, travelled 40 miles along the M6, “undertaking” other vehicles using the hard shoulder at 120mph after noticing they were being followed by a police helicopter.

Clarke, who is already in prison for another offence,was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, taking a vehicle without consent, using it without insurance and resisting arrest. Barker, who admitted aiding in the offences, was given a 12- month community order.

Lewis Jones, prosecuting, said after spotting the helicopter, Clarke performed a U-turn after coming off at a slip road to rejoin the motorway in the other direction.

Ppolice attempted to stop the vehicle using two rolling blockades without success. Barker threw items out of the car window.

When the car was stopped, Clarke tried to resist arrest and spat at one officer.

The court was told the car had been stolen at Wigan a few days previously but both defendants denied any knowledge of this. Clarke claimed to have bought it for £1,500.