Drink driver jailed after leading police on high-speed chase with prostitute still in car

A DRINK-driver who led police on a high-speed chase after he was discovered in a car with a prostitute has been jailed.

David Minor tried to escape officers at speeds of up to 60mph after they spotted him engaged in a sex act with the woman in Burslem.

Without allowing the prostitute to leave the car, he sped through several red traffic lights before dumping the vehicle and running away.

Police said the car was being driven so erratically that sparks were seen flying from its undercarriage as Minor sped through residential streets.

He was arrested in Sneyd Street, where a quantity of cannabis was found in the car.

Minor was discovered to have no licence or insurance and admitted drinking eight pints of lager before the police chase.

Now the 28-year-old, of Hartshill Road, Stoke, has been jailed for 12 months after admitting charges of dangerous driving, drink-driving, having no licence or insurance and being in possession of a class B drug.

Judge Robert Trevor Jones, sentencing Minor at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday, said: “You set out in your car that night and went on to commit a combination of offences.

“You set out in your car having consumed eight pints of beer.

“You then drove, in that state, a number of miles until you picked up the prostitute in question and then, when you were surprised by the police officers, you drove away.

“You were seeking to evade the police.

“It involved you crossing red lights on two occasions, speeding to a point of twice the applicable limit in side streets.

“There was the clearest risk given your drunken state.

“You had the prostitute in your car.

“The conduct here is so serious that a custodial sentence must be imposed.”

Prosecutor Paul Spratt told how Minor went on his drunken crime spree in the early hours of May 26, having been to a pub after his shift as a warehouse worker ended.

He met the prostitute in Burgess Street, Burslem, before officers spotted him and attempted to approach him.

Mr Spratt said: “They saw that the defendant was engaged in a sexual act. The defendant then drove off at speed.

“He drove a further one-and-a-half miles.

“The lady in question feared for her life. Sparks were coming from underneath the vehicle.”

Mr Spratt added that it was ‘extremely fortunate’ that the roads were clear of traffic and pedestrians at that time.

Minor’s barrister Anis Ali pleaded with the judge to show leniency.

He said although his client lad a ‘nomadic lifestyle’, he was showing signs of maturity and was working full-time.

Mr Ali said: “He consumed a quantity of alcohol and, thereafter demonstrated an erroneous decision. He has limited recollection.

“He is remorseful and is clearly and rightly embarrassed and ashamed.”

The court heard Minor has already served an eight-month prison sentence for being in possession of cannabis with intent to supply.