'Over the limit and speeding' dad lied his car was stolen after evading pursuing cops

'Panicking' driver dug ever deeper hole

- Sentinel Reporter

DAD-OF-FIVE Stephen Steele had been out drinking when he led police on a chase through North Staffordshire.

The 35-year-old had been out in Leek with his pals when a member of door staff alerted the police.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard his Vauxhall Zafira hit speeds of 56mph in a 50mph zone in Wetley Rocks and 72mph in 60mph zone during the pursuit on August 17, 2024.

Steele, of Victoria Place, Fenton, initially managed to evade the police as they were in a van, and at one point, he parked up and turned off his lights in the hope of going unnoticed.

But officers spotted him and he sped off with no lights on until he abandoned his car in a field.