Banned driver was caught by police dog trying to run off after a high-speed chase

ONLY 'GOOD FORTUNE' THAT NOBODY WAS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED

- By MARK NAYLOR

A PANICKING banned driver hurtled through streets at high speed in the early hours of the morning during a hair-raising police chase before suddenly abandoning his car, trying to run off and being caught by a police dog.

Darren Stovin had a string of convictions for driving offences and it was only by pure good fortune that nobody was killed or seriously injured during the lengthy police pursuit, Hull Crown Court heard.

Stovin, 42, of Swanland Grove, off The Quadrant, Hull, admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving while disqualified and having no insurance on May 9.

He changed his plea to guilty for the dangerous driving charge on the day of a scheduled trial.

Oliver Norman, prosecuting, said that Stovin was driving a Vauxhall Astra when police checks revealed that he was not insured. The car was followed and it went through two sets of red traffic lights.

Stovin made a quick turn into Saxon Way, Hessle, and went through red traffic lights into Priory Way in the direction of Hessle Road, west Hull. He turned towards the A63 eastbound dual carriageway and went through red traffic lights at 1.50am.