Former Happy Mondays band member guilty of driving without due care and attention

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said that Berry, 58, committed the offence when he was driving his Bentley Continental car on the northbound carriageway near Junction 5 of the M56 in Cheshire, on 3 January 2022.

Two police officers on patrol in the area in an unmarked car decided to follow Berry after he cut across their vehicle, forcing them to brake.

They witnessed Berry undertaking other cars and driving at excessive speeds through speed restricted roadworks.

He then cut across all three lanes of the motorway, in front of a white van, to leave the motorway at Junction 5. At this point, he was travelling at around 85 to 90 mph.

The officers stopped the vehicle on the off ramp of Junction 5 and spoke to Berry. By this time they had been following him for around 13 minutes.

His reply to their query about his driving was: “I thought it was some kind of weirdo’ who was following him so he had to speed up to get away.

He was charged with driving without due care and attention. He denied the charge but today (23 September 2022) at Warrington Magistrates Court, he was found guilty following a trial.

He was fined £1009, he must pay a Victim Surcharge of £101, costs of £400 and 3 points have been added to his licence.

Senior District Crown Prosecutor Neil Colville, of CPS Mersey Cheshire, said: “Berry was driving recklessly on that night without any thought for the other drivers on the road.

“It’s lucky that someone wasn’t hurt as he was driving at speed and carelessly. The fact that he cut across a car that was being driven by a police officer is fortuitous.

“That led them to follow him and stop him before he could cause any more issues.

“He has denied his wrongdoing until the end but has now been found guilty.

“Some people think the laws of the land don’t apply to them. Speed limits and road regulations are there to protect us all. Mark Berry chose to ignore them. He has been found guilty and has only himself to blame.”