Maltby drug driver led cops on high-speed chase causing two crashes

Police had ordered Corey Gerrard to pull over for driving with no insurance, on Broomhouse Lane, in Edlington, at 1pm, in May, last year.

He reached speeds of 90 mph in 30 and 40 mph zones, and blindly overtook cars on a busy road, during the six-mile chase that lasted five minutes.

A young child was visible outside a primary school in Braithwell as Gerrard passed, said prosecutor Neil Coxon.

Gerrard ran red traffic lights and caused two cars to collide on a mini-roundabout.

One driver was left with painful injuries to her neck and shoulders, while the 58-year-old driver of the second car was travelling with her daughter and two-year-old grandchild.

Police used a "stinger" outside Maltby Academy, which shredded his front off-side tyre from the wheel's rim and made him veer into a sign, causing £1,840 of damage.

Gerrard was captured after running off and falling into nettles, added Mr Coxon.

He tested positive for cocaine and a Class C drug, and 29 grams of cannabis were found in his car.

Matthew Burdon, mitigating, said: "It was an appalling piece of driving. He was hitherto of previous good character.

"He had cannabis in the vehicle and he was scared. He panicked. He knew that he had made things worse for himself and couldn't bring himself to stop.

"There is a low risk of Mr Gerrard ever having to appear before the courts again. This is a young man who needs some assistance with his drug misuse."

Gerrard, 20, of Howard Road, Maltby, admitted dangerous driving, driving without insurance and while over the prescribed limit for cocaine, failing to stop after an accident, and possession of cannabis, on December 5.

Judge Peter Kelson QC told him: "I am firmly of the view that what is required is a custodial sentence to send a message to the public that this sort of driving will not be tolerated."

He handed Gerrard 12 months in prison and banned him from driving for 3 years and six months.