Jailed: Driver, 24, hit nearly 100mph fleeing police
A burglar who led police on an alarming chase at speeds of almost 100mph in a stolen car has been locked up for three-and-a-half years.
Shane Wellington was spotted at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta in Willenhall shortly after midnight by police who had just found a stolen Mercedes they had been looking for, a judge heard.
“The officers had just concluded their involvement in that search when they saw the Fiesta coming towards them at speed and mount the nearside pavement,” said Mr Paul Spratt, prosecuting.
The 24-year-old, who had neither valid licence nor insurance, sped through residential streets in Walsall at 50mph in a 30 limit before hitting 75mph while heading towards Brownhills on the A5 pursued by the police helicopter and three cars.
The car went over speed bumps at up to 80mph and reached more than 90mph before the July 26 pursuit ended in the Fiesta, which had been stolen from outside the home of its owner eight days earlier in a burglary which did not involve Wellington.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard Wellington had broken into a house in St Johns Road, Pelsall on July 10.
He was also seen bilking £43 worth of fuel from a petrol station in a Renault three hours after the vehicle was stolen in a car key burglary at Stoney Lane, Walsall, on November 4. It was recovered soon afterwards.
Later that month another stolen Ford Fiesta was found at a property to which the defendant, who has no fixed address, was traced. It had been taken from Blake Street Station in Four Oaks days earlier. There was no suggestion he had been part of the theft.
Mr Timothy Sapwelll, defending Wellington, who had previous convictions involving 23 separate offences, said the crimes had been committed to fund a cocaine habit.
Wellington admitted burglary, handling stolen property, bilking, dangerous driving and receiving stolen property.
