A CARLISLE man who hit 74mph during a high speed night time police pursuit around residential Carlisle roads, before crashing, has been spared immediate prison.

Mark McCracken, 56, came to the attention of an officer on mobile patrol at around 9.30pm on May 25 this year. He was driving a black Volkswagen Golf with no lights illuminated, and was pulled over.

Noticing McCracken’s eyes appeared to be glazed, the officer asked him to turn off the ignition, Carlisle Crown Court heard. “It was then that the defendant accelerated away and a pursuit ensued,” said prosecutor Matthew Conway.

This was in the Belle Vue area on roads which included Moor Park Avenue and Moorhouse Road.

McCracken’s vehicle was clocked at 74mph and then 56mph in a 30mph zone. He pulled out of junctions without checking the coast was clear, and travelled on the wrong side of the road.

“The pursuit came to an end when he crashed,” said Mr Conway, who said an item of street furniture was struck and left in the road. “He then got out of the car and ran off. Officers followed and he was restrained although he did resist in the process and did have to be Tasered.”

McCracken admitted one offence of dangerous driving. There were 93 crimes on his criminal record, his last motoring offence being careless driving in 2011.

Holly Nelson, mitigating, accepted McCracken had displayed a poor standard of driving in May.

 

 

“That he accepts and regrets,” said Ms Nelson, who sought to offer some context. “He and his partner had an argument that evening. He had left the property to let off some steam and make sure nothing escalated.

"He saw police and frankly panicked that his partner had called the police on him. It is no justification but an explanation.

“Thankfully the roads were mercifully quiet at that time. No-one was injured.”

McCracken’s employment as an HGV driver meant his licence — now temporarily lost — was important to him. He now faced being out of work, had a partner and several children, one of whom he was a main carer for.

“He is frankly ashamed of his actions that night,” added his lawyer. “He expresses, through me, his sincere remorse for his conduct.”

Recorder Julian Shaw imposed a 15-month jail term which he suspended for two years. McCracken, of Ullswater Road, Carlisle, must complete 150 hours’ unpaid work and a 14-month driving ban. He must also pass an extended re-test before getting back behind the wheel.