Derbyshire drunk driver told officer 'he was on a run' after police chase

Gary White’s subterfuge came about after he “accelerated” away from a policeman who had just caught him driving at 38mph in a 30mph zone with a hand-held speed camera.

Chesterfield Magistrates Court heard how on July 5 the officer ran back to his vehicle to pursue White, 52, after the defendant ignored a hand signal to stop and sped off.

Prosecutor Ben Payne described how he found White’s Nissan X-Trail parked up on Derby Road, Wirksworth, moments later and saw a “white male” walking away from it.

Mr Payne said: “As he approached the male (White) said ‘he’s run that way’ - however the officer was sure the person telling him the driver ran away was in fact the driver.”

Magistrates heard an “overwhelming” smell of alcohol came from White and he “tensed” and started moving away while the officer approached.

However after the officer warned White he had a taser the defendant allowed himself to be handcuffed and arrested - later failing a breath test.

White’s solicitor Oliver Parr told the court his client’s high alcohol reading was due to his having “topped up” at the pub hours before - after several days of heavy drinking.

The defendant, of Peak View Caravan Site, Middleton, admitted drink driving, speeding, failing to stop and driving uninsured.

He was banned from driving for 18 months, fined £446 and made to pay £85 court costs and a £47 victim surcharge.

A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times Editor: Support your Derbyshire Times by becoming a digital subscriber. You will see 70 per cent fewer ads on stories, meaning faster load times and an overall enhanced user experience. Click here to subscribe