Over-the-limit driver drove dangerously in Cleator, Cleator Moor and Egremont

At Carlisle Crown Court, a judge told 42-year-old former soldier Mark Rumney - who was on his way back from an off-licence when police spotted him - that he had shown “reckless disregard” for other road users during his “appalling piece of driving.” 

The defendant, of Aldby Place, Cleator Moor, admitted dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop when he was required to do so.

Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting, said police were alerted after witnesses saw Rumney driving his orange Ford Focus too fast at 10pm on December 2 last year in Egremont and Cleator Moor areas.

As a police patrol car followed the Ford, Rumney drove at high speed along terraced streets through Cleator, towards Cleator Moor.

“The officer was following at a safe distance behind the [defendant’s] vehicle, which was in the middle of the road and straddling the while line,” said Mr Rogerson. But going through Cleator, the Ford accelerated towards an oncoming cyclist, who was forced take evasive action to avoid a collision.

This prompted police to reassess the pursuit as 'high-risk.'

“The vehicle continued to drive at speeds far in excess of the speed limit, with the driver struggling to control the vehicle as he negotiated bends on the wrong side of the road,” said Mr Rogerson.

Police saw the Ford taking blind bends on the wrong side of the road and driving towards oncoming traffic. Despite the police car activating its lights and siren, the defendant refused to stop.

Mr Rogerson continued: “As the vehicle carried on towards Cleator Moor, the officers could see how dangerous the driver was and so deployed a stinger device to deflate the tyres of the car.

"However, still it didn’t stop. He carried on driving on the metal rims of the wheels.”

Eventually, Rumney drove into a housing estate – again at high speed – and he found his car was at a dead-end. After arresting Rumney, the officers searched his car and found 12 cans of Foster’s lager, and a bottle of wine.

There was also a bottle of intoxicating liqueur.

Rumney had 62mcg of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit for driving is 35mcg. The court heard that he had a previous drink driving offence on his record from 2011.

Sean Harkin, defending, said Rumney – who had now lost his job as an HGV driver – was a family man who had struggled to cope during the lockdown and turned to using alcohol as a result.

Supportive of his wife as she battled post-natal depression, he was also a good neighbour who walked an elderly neighbour’s dog.

Mr Harkin said that while the defendant, a former soldier, had spent time in a military prison a long time ago, he had never had a sentence designed to promote rehabilitation.

“This was an appalling piece of driving," said Judge Nicholas Barker.

He told the defendant: “You put pedestrians and other road users at serious risk of danger and you knew you were in drink and knew that driving in that way was putting yourself and others at serious risk.

“You had gone to the off-licence for more alcohol, which was found in the car. You had already been drinking – something you had been doing increasingly.”

Even after almost colliding head-on with a cyclist and after his tyres were deflated, Rumney had continued with his “pathetic” attempt to outrun the police.

But the judge noted the defendant’s remorse, and his view that he may be suffering from PTSD following him having “served bravely” in the Army when he suffered traumatic experiences.

“People were put at real danger here,” said the judge.

But the defendant's previous Army service and the prospect of rehabilitation meant the jail sentence could be suspended, said the judge, who imposed 12 months custody, suspended for two years.

Rumney must complete 180 hours of unpaid work and he will be subjected to a 90-day alcohol abstinence tag. He was also disqualified from driving for 30 months and must pass an extended driving test. The sentence includes 15 days of rehabilitation with the Probation Service.