Boozed-up Sheffield driver fled from police in a high-speed pursuit

Sheffield Crown Court heard on August 10 how Ashley Biney, aged 32, of Grindlow Close, Sheffield, was seen by police with no registration plate on a van at the junction with Arbourthorne Road and East Bank Road before he accelerated away from an unmarked police vehicle.

Brian Outhwaite, prosecuting, said: “They turned their vehicle around and the van accelerated from them at increasing speed and they operated blue lights and the van failed to stop and the sirens were operated on the unmarked police car.”

Mr Outhwaite added Biney drove to the junction of Gleadless Road and Daresbury Road and went through a red traffic light and drove to Gleadless Road reaching speeds of 70mph.

Biney drove onto Queen’s Road and Shoreham Street at 65mph and went through another red light and drove on the wrong side of the road, according to Mr Outhwaite.

Mr Outhwaite added the defendant also drove on the wrong side of the road at Shoreham Street and St Mary’s Road along a dual carriageway.

Police temporarily lost sight of the van, according to Mr Outhwaite, but attempts were later made to stop the it but Biney drove around two police vehicles before turning into Granville Road where he stopped.

Biney told police the van belonged to an uncle and the defendant said he had been drinking because of issues at home and when he saw the police he added that he “put his foot down”.

The defendant, who has previous convictions for driving offences, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence and insurance and to exceeding the alcohol drink-drive limit after the pursuit at about 11pm, on January 12.

Another uncle of the defendant’s told the court Biney had been extremely upset after his grandmother had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and she has since passed away.

He added on the day in question Biney’s grandmother has a seizure and this had contributed to his drinking.

Judge Peter Kelson QC adjourned the case until September 1 so a probation service report could be processed and considered before sentencing.