Preston Crown Court has heard that speeds in excess of 100 m.p.h. along Clifton Drive were reached by 19 year old Ciaran Brazier, of Westfield Road Blackpool, in his W Registration Audi A3 on 7th August, 2020.

It was just before midnight on that Friday evening that Police began their pursuit of Mr Brazier in his Audi A3 along Clifton Drive in St Anne’s. The young motorist was with his girlfriend and some friends and were heading northbound towards Blackpool.  The Court heard that the 19 year old motorist reached speeds of more than 100 m.p.h. during the police chase along Clifton Drive – accelerating onto the wrong side of the road around two traffic islands. He only stopped after a stinger was deployed by the Police.

Prosecutor David Clarke told Preston Crown Court, ‘The defendant, obviously realising the presence of the police vehicle, took evasive action insofar as he was driving at very high speed. He accelerated onto the wrong side of the road around two traffic islands in excess of 100 m.p.h. He came back onto the correct side of the road at 90 m.p.h.’

The court heard Mr Brazier went through the junction of Squires Gate and Starr Gate, where officers had set up a stinger to deflate his tyres. Mr Brazier carried on onto Clifton Drive but pulled over to the side.

Having stopped the car, Police noted a smell of cannabis inside, but Mr Brazier refused a roadside drug test.

In Court Mr. Brazier admitted dangerous driving and associated motoring offences. Handing down a sentence of six months, suspended for 18 months, and a driving ban for 12 months Judge Guy Mathieson said, ‘He (Ciaran Brazier) had a difficult start in life but had now settled work and a settled address. How your life was then and how it is now is chalk and cheese. Speeds of that nature, driving of that nature taking a racing line around corners and roundabouts very often ends up in accidents. I think you know now that that decision was wholly wrong.’

(Featured photograph does not show Police pursuit – it depicts location)