Drink-driver hid in pile of manure in attempt to evade police following high speed chase

Drink-driver Jake Hart tried to give police the slip after taking them on a 90mph chase through a built-up area – by hiding in a pile of manure. At one point his car travelled so fast over speed humps it left the ground. The 22-year-old and his passenger abandoned the car but he was found hiding in manure in Longton Park, Stoke-on-Trent.

Now Hart has been jailed for six months and banned from the roads for a year. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Hart and a friend bought a Peugeot car for £300 and intended to do it up and sell it on. But police saw the car being driven on the morning of April 12 in Blurton, Staffordshire, and decided to stop it as the brake lights were not working. Officers illuminated their lights and siren and the chase began.



After reaching speeds of 90mph the Peugeot collided with a parked car and the officer decided it was too dangerous to carry on. Hart and his passenger abandoned the vehicle but Hart was found hiding in a pile of manure. The defendant told officers: "I have got to try and get away. I nearly had you." He added that the car was not stolen but admitted he had no licence and should not have been driving.

He was breathalysed and gave a reading of 47 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – above the limit of 35. He said he saw the police car and did not have a licence or insurance. He tried to get away because he had just paid for the car and knew the police would take it. He agreed his driving was dangerous. Hart, of Blurton, pleaded guilty to drink driving, dangerous driving, no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. Hart must take an extended test before he can drive again.