Drunk Northwich Audi driver led police on 130mph chase

Paul Kennedy, of Harthill Close, was arrested after he eventually crashed, admitting: “I drove like a d***head and that’s it.

“You are arresting me for being a dangerous driver w****r and I know I am.”

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, July 28, it was 'sheer luck' that nobody had been killed or seriously injured due to Kennedy's behaviour, which involved running a red traffic light at 60mph.

The 42-year-old refused to get out of his black Audi A5 when police spoke to him after the crash in Winwick, Warrington, and was revving the engine.

An officer had to smash his driver’s window to get him out and found Kennedy smelled of alcohol and his eyes were glazed.

When he was about to be breathalysed, he ‘stooped forward and began to feign an epileptic fit’, said Kirsty Linforth, prosecuting the case.

He was taken to Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool, where he continued to feign fits.

It was not until six hours after he had first been spotted driving dangerously that a blood sample was taken and he was found to be over the drink driving limit - with 102 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, she said.

Crown Court judge Recorder Richard Leiper was told that his out of character behaviour had been ‘a cry for help’ after spiralling into depression following a cancer diagnosis and a relationship break-up.

Kennedy, who wiped away tears during the hearing, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously, failing to stop when requested and drink driving. 

He was sentenced to four months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, ordered to carry out 30 days rehabilitation activities and banned from driving for 12 months.

Miss Linforth told the court the offences occurred after the defendant was spotted travelling south on the M6 near junction 26 at 1.25am on January 26 this year.

Kennedy sped past an officer in an unmarked Lancashire police car and when the officer accelerated to catch up, he was doing 130mph.

Paul Kennedy

Kennedy then ignored the police lights and sirens and kept on driving, before continuing onto the M58.

Officers from Merseyside Police had become involved, as well as a police helicopter.

During the chase, Kennedy turned onto Winwick Lane travelling at 80mph in a 60mph zone.

He still ignored police lights and sirens and an oncoming car had to move out of the way to avoid a collision.

“He went through a red traffic light and turned right at a blind junction,” the prosecutor told the court.

“Had a vehicle been travelling through, a catastrophic collision would have occurred.”

Gareth Roberts, defending, said Kennedy, who worked for a vehicle manufacturer in the finance renewal department, previously had no convictions and did not even have a speeding ticket or points on his licence.

He told the judge: “He comes before you a man who knows it is sheer luck that he did not kill or injure anyone or himself during the incident.

“He knows his driving was criminally dangerous and will be punished for it.

“He is profoundly and properly remorseful and ashamed of what he did.”

Mr Roberts said it was the culmination of challenging events in his life.

Until 2015 Kennedy, who has a genetic hearing problem, had been an energetic and successful professional but was then diagnosed with bowel cancer and had two permanent stomas after surgery.

He was supported by his partner until last autumn when he discovered she had been having an affair with one of his friends and their relationship ended.

“He spiralled into depression and isolation and started to drink far too much,” Mr Roberts added.

On the night of the incident, he ‘fell into a depressive state’ and got into his car intending to drive to Scotland to kill himself, the court heard.

Mr Roberts described his client’s behaviour as ‘a cry for help’ and said after his arrest he was sectioned until the Mental Health Act overnight and then went to Bristol Priory for treatment.

He is now alcohol free and having counselling at the Christie Hospital where his cancer had been diagnosed - it appears his cancer has returned, and he faces a screening next month. 

The judge, Recorder Richard Leiper, QC, said he accepted the defendant was remorseful and does not pose a danger to the public.

He said he has taken positive steps to address his drinking and is committed to raising awareness of hidden disabilities.

“I truly hope you can put his behind you and that your prognosis turns out to be good,” he added.