A DRIVER who led police on a high-speed two-mile chase and showed a “flagrant disregard” for the safety of others was told he was in “denial” by a judge.
Pierre Henri Sealey overtook vehicles before crashing into a bollard and smashing a window of the McDonald’s restaurant in Christchurch Road, Boscombe.
He attempted to flee the scene but he was detained by officers.
Following his arrest, he refused to provide a specimen of breath with police believing he had consumed alcohol.
Sealey admitted offences of dangerous driving, failing to stop, failing to report an accident and failing to provide a specimen at a magistrates’ court hearing in October 2020.
However, he told the author of a pre-sentence report that he did not recall being pursued by police cars on blue lights and that the crash was due to wet roads.
During a sentencing hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday, January 14, Judge Robert Pawson told the defendant that these claims were “manifest nonsense” and that he needed to “grow up a bit”.
The judge said: “It seems to me that you are in denial.”
Sealey, of West Cliff Gardens, Bournemouth, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. He was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and follow an overnight curfew for two months.
The 29-year-old was disqualified from driving for two-and-a-half years and must complete an extended retest should he wish to obtain a licence in the future.
Prosecuting, Michael Mason said on Saturday, January 19, 2020, officers became aware of Sealey driving a Mercedes-Benz A-Class fast down Lansdowne Road and began a pursuit on blue lights.
“During the pursuit Mr Sealey was driving at excess speed,” said Mr Mason.
“He turned left at the Lansdowne Roundabout onto the main Christchurch road towards Boscombe.”
The defendant overtook vehicles and police lost sight of him for a period due to the speeds at which he was travelling.
Sealey lost control of the vehicle before it struck and uprooted a bollard. The crash led to damage being caused to a glass window of McDonald’s at the start of the pedestrianised area.
“There was excess speed in a built up area,” said Mr Mason. “He was pursued for two miles. There was evidence of alcohol and there was damage to property.”
Mitigating, Robert Grey said the defendant, who provides care support for his father, now accepted his driving was “stupid”.
The court heard Sealey had set up his own business but this had been affected significantly by the coronavirus pandemic.
Summarising his mitigation, Mr Grey said: “The plea of guilty. This man is petrified of going to prison. He says he was shaking all morning and last night. He has never been to prison.”
Judge Pawson said the offence crossed the custody threshold, but suspended the sentence due to a serious prospect of rehabilitation, low risk of reoffending and personal mitigation around Sealey's employment issues and support for his father.
The judge said: “You knew full well the police were behind you and you were trying to escape.
“After you got out of the car you made off although a member of the public tried to stop you.”
He added: “Although you pose a risk to the public, it seems to me it is not a serious ongoing risk.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel