A MOTORIST who drove his girlfriend’s VW Polo without her permission sped across a Carlisle playpark so quickly the car became airborne.

The alarming incident happened as 25-year-old Callum Decosta was fleeing from a pursuing police vehicle, and the impact on his partner's car was so violent that its bumpers were ripped off, the city's crown court heard. 

But Decosta walked out of court with a community order after a judge heard that he has now started a new crime-free life away from Carlisle.

At an earlier hearing, the defendant admitted aggravated vehicle taking. The offending – dating back to March of 2022 – was described by prosecutor Brendan Burke.

On that day, Decosta travelled to Newcastle with his partner but he became involved in a public order disturbance, for which police gave him an on-the-spot fine.

“She didn’t want to return to their hotel room or see him when he returned so she went to stay with people she had met in Newcastle,” said Mr Burke.

It was only when she arrived back at her home in Carlisle that her car had been taken off the driveway and was missing.

She then also realised that the car keys were missing from her handbag.

“Her father went out looking for the car,” continued the prosecutor. “They also noticed damage to the wing mirror of her mother’s car on the drive. While looking, the father came across the defendant driving his daughter’s car.

“He was driving the car around the Stanwix area of Carlisle. He followed the defendant for 11 minutes or so, seeing the defendant crossing a grass verge at one point.

"He then lost him.”

The police were then alerted and located Decosta driving along Dalston Road. At this point, a pursuit began. Decosta drove at 57mph on that road and continued to break speed limits as he fled.

At Levens Drive, his speed reduced to 40mph before rising to 45mph. He also mounted the kerb and clipped the wing mirror of a parked car. Decosta then drove towards the grassy bank of a play park.

“The car had such momentum that the violence of the manoeuvre lifted the vehicle off the ground,” continued Mr Burke. The car’s front bumper was ripped off but still attached, being dragged along behind the Polo.

Police were so concerned about public safety that they abandoned the pursuit.

The court heard that Decosta’s previous 27 offences included police assaults, drink related disorder, a previous taking without consent, and witness intimidation, for which he was jailed. 

Mark Shepherd, defending, said Decosta had now been diagnosed with ADHD and autism. Having moved to Plymouth, he felt he had made a new start and was no longer coming to the attention of the police.

He was working with his brother and living with his sister and his mother had also moved to the south-west to be near them.

“Carlisle, unfortunately, was not good for him,” said Mr Shepherd.

Recorder Michael Blakey told Decosta: “You have turned a corner and put Carlisle behind you. I will give you an opportunity to demonstrate that what [Mr Shepherd] has said is true.”

He imposed a 12-month community order, which includes ten rehabilitation activity days and 40 hours of unpaid work. Decosta was banned from driving for a year and must pass and extended test before driving independently.

Decosta gave his address as Tresluggan Road, Plymouth.