A Bedale man who led police on a high-speed pursuit through rural North Yorkshire while more than twice the legal drink-drive limit has been jailed.
Connor Richard Lacey Ham, 31, of Nattrass Walk, Bedale, was arrested during the early hours of Sunday, December 21, following what officers described as extremely dangerous driving.
Traffic Constable Michael McVay, from North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, was carrying out proactive drink and drug drive patrols when he attempted to stop Ham at around 3.55am on a rural lane near Kirklington-cum-Upsland.
Ham failed to stop and made off in a Mercedes-Benz A-Class, reaching speeds of more than 80mph towards Baldersby. A pursuit was initiated, during which Ham drove on the wrong side of the carriageway and exceeded 100mph as he headed towards Ripon.
He continued dangerously around Hutton Bank roundabout before travelling back along the A61 towards the A1(M). A stinger device was deployed and successfully punctured the tyres of the vehicle, but Ham continued to drive despite the damage.
The pursuit came to an end at Junction 50 of the A1(M), where the Mercedes was boxed in on the roundabout. Ham was finally stopped after colliding with a police vehicle, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Ham was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, dangerous driving and failing to provide a breath sample. While in custody, he provided a reading of 76 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice the legal limit.
He appeared before York Crown Court on Friday, February 6, where he was sentenced for dangerous driving and driving over the prescribed alcohol limit. Ham was jailed for 12 months and disqualified from driving for two years and six months.
Speaking after the sentencing, TC Michael McVay said: “Day in, day out people drive whilst intoxicated. It’s not only dangerous, it’s truly selfish.
“Ham drove at extreme speed while over the drink-drive limit, with no regard for the safety of other road users. This reckless behaviour could have caused serious harm to innocent motorists and left lasting trauma across our communities.
“The defendant is very lucky that no one was seriously injured. There is simply no excuse for dangerous driving, and we will continue to be relentless in intercepting those who put lives at risk.”
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