'Idiotic and stupid': Drug-fuelled Sheffield driver crashed during high-speed police chase

Harrison Kendall, aged 20, of Dovercourt Road, Manor Park, Sheffield, came to the attention of the police in Rotherham after a vehicle he was driving had false number plates fitted, according to a Sheffield Crown Court hearing.

Charlotte Noddings, prosecuting, told the hearing: “An Automatic Number Plate Recognition camera alerted police that a Vauxhall Corsa was driving on false plates on East Bawtry Road.”

Ms Noddings said the Corsa was driven to Worrygoose roundabout and attempted to squeeze through traffic and collided with a vehicle, damaging a wing mirror.

The defendant was driving at 65mph in a 40mph zone, according to Ms Noddings, and as he attempted to force his way through Whiston crossroads he clipped the wing mirror of another car and drove through a red light.

Kendall avoided a police barrier by mounting a central carriageway kerb and he narrowly missed colliding with a lorry, according to Ms Noddings.

Ms Noddings said Kendall drove along Howarth Lane, Brinsworth, and a footpath before losing control and dropping into a ditch.

Kendall, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence and without insurance.

He admitted to driving in excess of the specified limits for cannabis and cocaine derivatives after the incident on December 22, 2020.

Dale Harris, defending, said the original driver of the car had said he was not well enough to drive because of alcohol which is why the defendant got behind the wheel.

Mr Harris said: “This idiotic and stupid and probably impulsive decision was taken in circumstances when he was ill-equipped to make these decisions when he had earlier consumed illicit substances.”

Mr Harris explained that Kendall had a difficult up-bringing and that his older brother and father had both taken their lives.

However, Mr Harris said Kendall has made efforts to get his life in order and he has a job and has been keeping out of trouble.

Recorder Craig Hassall QC sentenced Kendall to 12 months of custody suspended for 18 months and ordered him to complete 160 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation requirement.

Kendall was disqualified from driving for two years.

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