A DRIVER acted “stupidly” when he sped off from police before crashing off the road and into a field.

Uninsured motorist Alan Alfred Cozens “panicked” when officers illuminated the lights on their car as he did not hold a licence.

Instead of pulling over to the side of the road, Cozens travelled at speeds of between 50mph and 70mph in a 30mph zone at night, travelling quickly round blind bends and driving straight through junctions.

Cozens, of Kittiwake Close, Bournemouth, came to a halt when he “lost control and left the road before coming to stop in a field”, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

The 36-year-old was spared an immediate prison sentence by Judge Gary Burrell QC at a hearing on April 8 after he pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle dangerously and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

Prosecutor John Dyer said police on mobile patrol in the area around Formby, Merseyside, were flagged down by a member of the public reporting that a silver Citroen car was driving erratically in the area at around 11.40pm on October 19 last year.

Officers located the vehicle, which was being driven by the defendant, and followed behind at a distance before illuminating their blue lights to get Cozens to pull over.

The officers described him as showing a “complete disregard for the safety of other road users”.

The court heard after the defendant crashed off the road, he stepped out of the car, held his hands up to police and said “I didn’t stop because I don’t have a licence” before later adding “I have done wrong”.

Mitigating, Lucy Conroy said the defendant was “contrite” with officers when he exited the vehicle. The barrister said Cozens went to Formby after some domestic issues at home. He had been given a lift there from a friend before he purchased the Citroen, which he went on to live in, for £300.

The defendant has never held a driving licence, the court heard.

“Luckily and mercifully no injury was caused to anyone and no damage was caused to any property,” said Ms Conroy.

The court heard the defendant was soon to become a father.

Ms Conroy added: “The time is right to afford Mr Cozens one chance and that is to remain in the community working hard on an order and also providing support to his partner and his child.”

In sentencing the defendant to nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, Judge Burrell QC said: “You could have killed someone. You could have easily injured someone.

“It so happens by chance that you did not.”

He added: “I’m not going to send you straight to prison but you could easily have gone there.

“You are going to be a father. That is a big responsibility. Your partner needs you and that little baby will need you.”

The judge said the defendant was “a bit of a nuisance” rather than a “criminal”.

“It was bad driving. You did obviously panic but that was stupidity totally stupid,” said Judge Burrell QC.

“With a police car in your mirror you should pull over and put your hands up.”

The judge also issued an 18-month driving ban. Cozens must complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work.

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