Man sentenced for driving offences

A man has been sentenced after leading police on a pursuit before crashing into a wall in Winterley.

James Cheetham, of Alton Street in Crewe, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 16th July 2026 where he was sentenced to 15 months suspended for 18 months.

The 39-year-old had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drug driving.

On 21st December 2025, an officer attempted to stop a Peugeot 207 being driven by Cheetham in Crewe Road, Wheelock.

The vehicle initially stopped but waited until the officer had exited his vehicle before making off at speed. The vehicle reached speeds of 70mph in a 30mph zone.

After a short pursuit, the vehicle crashed into a wall outside a residential property in Winterley and Cheetham attempted to run from the scene.

The officer detained Cheetham, who tested positive for benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine). He gave a reading of 595ug/l of benzoylecgonine, above the legal limit of 50ug/l.

Sergeant Martin Hilditch said:

“Cheetham knew he shouldn’t have been driving after having cocaine in his system and attempted to outrun us.

“Thankfully, he didn’t make it very far – although it is a miracle there were no pedestrians walking along the pavement at the moment he crashed, or the outcome could have been very different.

“Cheetham has now been disqualified from driving for 18 months for his actions and before he can drive again, he must pass an extended test.”

Pictured - James Cheetham of Alton Street in Crewe.

You can watch a video of the police pursuit here...