A DANGEROUS driver who led police on an 80mph chase through a residential area in Rugby has been banned from driving and given a suspended jail sentence.
At Warwick Crown Court, Patrick Hannifin, 37, of Vervain Drive was sentenced to 27 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years for dangerous driving and possession of cannabis.
He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months until he passes an extended test of competence, and must comply with a three-month overnight monitored curfew.
Hannifin was spotted by officers in an unmarked police car at 3am on Wednesday May 1 last year, as he turned towards Newbold on the A428 and accelerated rapidly.
The unmarked car began to follow Hannifin as he drove at 70-80mph in a 40mph limit, cutting corners and travelling on the wrong side of the road.
As he entered a residential area he continued to drive at over 80mph over speed bumps in a 30mph zone, struggling to stay in control.
Despite the unmarked car activating its emergency lights and sirens, Hannifin only came to a stop after he hit a kerb on the wrong side of the road – with such speed and force that the front wheel shattered and both offside tyres immediately deflated.
He ran off into Newbold Centenary Park and was arrested after a short foot chase.
Speaking after the sentence, PC James Heath said: “Hannifin’s driving can only be described as dangerous. Each time his car hit a speed bump he lost contact with the ground and had zero control of the car at all, while driving at high speed in a residential area.
“His sentence reflects this and we can only hope it gives him time to consider his actions and if he regains his licence, he becomes a better driver next time he gets behind a wheel.”
See above to watch a video showing the moments leading up to Hannifin’s arrest.
