Mark Carroll jailed after a high speed chase through Hartlepool whilst under the influence of drugs.
The chase occurred last August. A police officer saw Carroll’s BMW at a gas station and felt suspicious because of where it was parked. The police pursued the BMW after it sped away. During the chase, Carroll reached 85 mph in areas with 30 mph speed limits. He even drove off-road at some point and reversed, hitting the police car.
Police eventually stopped Carroll with another car. People ran from Carroll’s car, and Carroll claimed he wasn’t driving. Tests showed he had cocaine, BZE, ketamine, and MDMA in his blood.
Carroll admitted to dangerous driving and drug driving twice. He also confessed to driving while disqualified and uninsured, charges that relate to the chase.
Another incident occurred last March. Police found a stolen Land Rover parked on Wynyard Road in Hartlepool. Carroll was spotted at a nearby ATM, and witnesses saw him exit the driver’s seat. He again had cocaine and BZE in his blood.
Carroll denied other charges, including drug driving, driving while disqualified, and being uninsured. He didn’t attend his trial for these charges, but the court found him guilty even though he was absent.
Carroll’s lawyer said he needed to get home because he has a stoma bag, and that Carroll panicked when the police approached him. The lawyer stated that Carroll has three daughters and wants to move on from this situation, despite his record of 38 past offenses.
The judge criticized Carroll’s attitude. She noted his disregard for court rules and pointed out his driving offenses. The court sentenced Carroll to 22 months in jail and banned him from driving for almost four years.