A driver who lead police on a high speed car chase and hit speeds of up to 150mph on roads in and around Letchworth has narrowly avoided going to prison on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.
Joshua McDonald’s driving was later described by officers involved In the pursuit as amongst the worst they had ever seen.
McDonald’s Mercedes CLA eventually ended up in a hedge and he ran off, only to be found hiding in a garden by a police dog.
The 28 year old family man appeared for sentence at St Albans Crown Court where back in March he had been found guilty of an offence of dangerous driving.
His shocking driving had occurred on the night of October 23, 2018 in Letchworth Officers on patrol in the town saw him driving at speed and he then made off in attempt to get away from them.
The court heard his driving took in Icknield Way, Abbotts Road, Arlesey New Road and House Road. He was eventually arrested in Glebe Road after making off from the car on foot and being tracked down by a a dog unit as he hid in a garden.
During the pursuit the defendant of Danescroft, Letchworth had hit speeds of up to 150mph on what were A roads. Police had lost sight of his car because he was going so fast, clipping curbs and on certain sections, driving the wrong way along the road.
Judge Michael Simon hearing the case was told McDonald was a different man to the one who had committed the offences At the time he had been a heavy user of alcohol and cocaine, but since his arrest that night he had taken steps of his own volition to tackle his misuse of both and had gone on a drug rehabilitation course.
Judge Simon told McDonald because of what he’d been told about his efforts to tackle his drug use, he was prepared to take the unusual step of passing a suspended sentence and not sending him straight into prison.
“I have come to the conclusion I am just able to suspend the sentence and I do so,” he told McDonald. He sentenced him to 20 months imprisonments which was suspended for 18 months.
McDonald was told he would be subject to a four month home curfew when he will have to be at home between the hours of 9pm and 5am and he must also carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
He will also have to pay £2000 towards the prosecution costs and he will be disqualified from driving for the next 12 months.
