Man sentenced following fail to stop pursuit in Cheshire

A motorcyclist who led officers on a pursuit across Cheshire has now been sentenced.

Philip Hunter appeared at Warrington Magistrates on Thursday 12 September where he was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison suspended for two years.

The 25-year-old, of Beswick Road, Northwich, had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. He was also banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to undertake an extended retest.

The court heard how at around 4.30pm on Wednesday 17 July, officers from the Cheshire Police Motorcycle Unit attempted to stop two motorcyclists near to junction 12 of the M56 near Hapsford.

Both of the riders failed to stop and drove off onto the A56 travelling towards Frodsham.

Officers lost sight of one of the bikes, but they continued to follow the second bike ridden by Philip Hunter as he led police on a pursuit into the Weaverham area of Northwich.

As the Police Motorcycle officers were travelling towards Weaverham, they were joined by several other officers from the Roads and Crime Unit and the Police helicopter, who helped support the pursuit.

Upon entering the village, Hunter abandoned his bike and attempted to make off on foot but was quickly located by the police helicopter and arrested.

Following the sentencing Chief Inspector John Forshaw, of the Roads and Crime Unit, said:

“Hunter is clearly a dangerous individual, who put the lives of officers and innocent members of the public at risk for no apparent reason whatsoever.

“His reckless behaviour led officers on a pursuit across rural Cheshire, throughout which he showed no regard for those around them.

“However, despite his repeated attempts to evade officers, there really was nowhere to hide and he has now been held accountable for his actions.

“As this case demonstrates, no matter what you are driving or riding, we will use all the tactics available to us to ensure that those who break the law in Cheshire are brought to justice.”