Driver rams West Mercia Police cars in high speed Evesham chase

Karl Lewis flouted a driving ban as he led police on a 24 minute chase, accelerating to 80mph in a 30mph road as he overtook other motorists during a failed getaway bid.

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The 34-year-old, of no fixed abode, admitted a string of driving offences at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday after he was taken to the ground by officers following the pursuit in order to prevent further offences.

CHASE: Karl Lewis overtook other cars at 80mph in a 30mph residential road during the 24 minute chase which ended in Evesham

He admitted dangerous driving, drink driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance following the failed getaway in Evesham which ended in Honeybourne Road on July 3.

Lewis was behind the wheel of Isuzu D-Max during the episode of dangerous driving in Pershore Road, Bridge Street, Port Street and the Two Shires Industrial Park.

CASE: The dangerous driving case was deemed too serious for magistrates in Worcester to deal with (Image: Newsquest)

Melanie Winterflood, prosecuting, told magistrates that their sentencing powers were insufficient for so serious a case, asking them to send the case to the city's crown court for sentence.

Summarising the case, she said police received an anonymous call about a drink driver on the road and attended the relevant area at around 2am.

"The car is being driven erratically and a number of attempts are made to stop it. The car failed to stop and continued to be pursued by police officers for a reasonable length of time. During that time the car was driven at excess speed," said Miss Winterflood.

She described the car overtaking other vehicles at speeds of up to 80mph on road with a 30mph limit in a 'residential area', contravening traffic signs and going through red lights.

"After a 24 minute pursuit the car, having stopped, reversed into a police car in an attempt to ram it repeatedly," said Miss Winterflood.

Lewis was alone in the car at the time. "They (officers) described his stance as aggressive and he had to be taken to the ground to prevent any further offences from occurring," said Miss Winterflood.

A breath specimen revealed 71mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than twice the limt of 35mcg. Checks revealed he had been banned from driving on May 5. 

Miss Winterflood: "This is his second offence of driving while disqualified and the second time he has had no insurance."

She said the pursuit covered the distance from Upton to Evesham. 

Edward Gaynor-Smith, defending, said: "Mr Lewis, to his credit, is trying to get help. He's going through Cranstoun (the alcohol and drug recovery service). He's trying to help himself out."

He explained that Lewis had suffered recent bereavements, including the loss of his mother and step-father.

Magistrates imposed an interim disqualification and ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service. 

Lewis was granted unconditional bail to attend a hearing at Worcester Crown Court on September 2.