Sheffield judge praises staff who helped dangerous driver turn life around

A Sheffield judge has praised probation staff for the help they gave a dangerous driver who was planning to kill himself when he fled from police at high speeds.
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Kirk Merner was driving a blue Audi TT Quattro in the Hoyland area, when a police check revealed he was driving without insurance, at 9.20am on January 14.

After the blue lights were activated, he accelerated to 70mph on narrow country roads, where he overtook a large van on a blind bend, before turning on to the A61.

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He reached 80mph in a 50mph zone and crossed solid white lines, causing oncoming cars to brake, prosecutor Amy Earnshaw said.

Sundew Gardens,  HIgh Green, where Merner abandoned his car after a police chase.Sundew Gardens,  HIgh Green, where Merner abandoned his car after a police chase.
Sundew Gardens, HIgh Green, where Merner abandoned his car after a police chase.

The pursuing officer lost sight of him on Greaves Lane, but the Audi was later found on nearby Sundew Gardens, in High Green.

The court heard how dog handlers tracked him down following the 1.5 mile police chase which lasted around five minutes.

Merner has previous convictions for drink driving in 2004, and dangerous driving in 2006 and April 2018, when he was banned for 12 months.

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Kathyrn Lill, mitigating, said Merner’s case featured "truly tragic circumstances" and he was put on remand for his own safety, as he had been planning to take his own life.

"When he was sent to Doncaster prison, he was able to address his issues and got help for his mental health," Ms Lill said. "He feels a completely different man today.

"He has opened up and sought help. He hasn't just started to deal with those issues - he has started to move forward.”

Merner, 32, of Welfare View, Goldthorpe, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously, without insurance and while disqualified, at Sheffield Magistrates Court, on August 21

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Recorder Keir Monteith QC said: “What you did was very serious and crosses the custody threshold.

"This case is different. You have had years of tragedy. It's very sad. You’re a changed man and long may it last."

The judge congratulated the prison and probation services for the help they have given Merner.

He received nine months, suspended for two years, with 20 rehabilitation days. He was banned for 18 months.

Read the latest cases from Sheffield Crown Court here.

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