Man jailed after 'dangerous' police pursuit through Runcorn

Ashley Wright led police on a 'dangerous' pursuit through Runcorn.
Ashley Wright led police on a 'dangerous' pursuit through Runcorn.
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A MAN found with an axe and knuckledusters who led police on a dangerous chase through Runcorn has been jailed.

On July 18, officers were called to reports of an incident on Newquay Close in Runcorn.

Officers attended the address and found that Ashley Wright had been involved in an altercation with a woman.

There were also reports that he had threatened her and her family with a weapon before leaving the address in a blue Audi A3.

A message was sent out to all local officers and just moments later Wright’s car was spotted on Greenhouse Farm Road by officers from Cheshire Roads and Crime Unit.

The officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but instead Wright drove off at speed and led police on a pursuit through Runcorn and onto the M56.

The pursuit eventually came to a stop near to junction 7 of the M56 eastbound at Bowden where Wright was pulled from the car and arrested.

Officers went on to search his car where they discovered an axe, a baton, a knuckle duster, two mobile phones and a large quantity of cannabis.

Wright was subsequently charged with a number of offences.

The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, criminal damage, possession with intent to supply class C drugs and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon.

Wright, Manchester, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 21 December where he was sentenced to 28-months in prison.

He was also banned from driving for three years and seven months and will be required to undertake an extended retest.

Inspector Anton Sullivan, of the Cheshire Police Roads and Crime Unit, said: “Wright is clearly a dangerous individual and I welcome the sentence that has been handed him.

“Not only did he threaten a vulnerable woman and her family, but he also led officers on a dangerous pursuit, showing no regard for those around him.

“However, he was no match for our specially trained officers and it was only a matter of time before he was brought to a stop and put before the courts.”

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