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Terrifying car chase
A 12-MILE high-speed car chase through residential areas of Bridlington and three villages ended when the teenage driver's defective car left the road and ended up on its roof in a field.
His front seat passenger, a 17-year-old girl, had screamed at him to stop, fearing both could be killed as he tried to lose a following police car.
The story unfolded at Bridlington Magistrates' Court last Wednesday when Kyle Thomas Sweeney, 18, of Grange Road, Bridlington, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
He also admitted driving without insurance, refusing to stop when directed to do so by the police, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and using the car with defective lights and with defective brakes.
Jane Wilson, prosecuting, described how the police pursuit had lasted just 11 minutes, giving an average speed of 60 miles an hour – much of it through 20mph and 30mph zones in Bridlington and through Flamborough, Bempton and Buckton – before the Ford Fiesta crossed the verge on a country lane and rolled onto its roof, coming to rest in a small ditch.
"Fortunately the two occupants received only minor injuries," said Mrs Wilson.
She said it began about 6.30pm on March 11 when a 17-year-old witness, who cannot be named for legal reasons, went with Sweeney to a friend's house in Driffield.
They left in a Ford Fiesta, with Sweeney telling the girl he had a full driving licence when in fact he only had a provisional licence.
The pair then went to an address in Bridlington and for a drive, during which the girl had complained he was driving too fast.
They ended up at Danes Dyke.
About 11.30pm a police patrol car saw the Fiesta leaving Danes Dyke and noticed some of the car lights were not working.
The police followed it back towards Bridlington and noticed it was being driven erratically.
The officers activated their blue flashing lights with the intention of talking to the driver.
At that point the Fiesta speeded up.
"The girl saw the lights and asked Sweeney if they (the police) were after them. Sweeney said yes," said Mrs Wilson.
In the chase which followed, Sweeney drove at twice the legal limit over speed bumps and round roundabouts, going around the one at West Crayke at 45mph and clipping the centre.
He was followed doing 70mph in Marton Gate, then went through Flamborough at 50mph.
"The 17-year-old screamed at Sweeney to stop and he replied "I can't, they are going to send me down".
"The girl even rang a friend on her mobile and put it onto loudspeaker and the friend urged him to stop. The girl felt she would die," said Mrs Wilson.
After leaving Flamborough, the speeding car went through Bempton and then Buckton at speeds of up to 50mph.
After turning back towards Bridlington along Buckton Gate, the car left the road.
"When Sweeney was interviewed by police, he said 'I saw the blue lights and just went off my head, I thought I am going to go'," said Mrs Wilson.
He also told police he knew his driving was dangerous and agreed it had been appalling.
Sweeney will appear at Hull Crown Court on May 18 for sentencing on the charge of dangerous driving.
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Bridlington magistrates requested the remaining five summary motoring offences be dealt with by the judge, who can also act as a magistrate if he wishes. If not, Sweeney will return to the Bridlington court on June 15 for sentencing on those charges.
He was given unconditional bail.
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Weather for Bridlington
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -4 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South
