Speeding mechanic in police chase
Published: 9:45 PM January 7, 2005
A MECHANIC caught driving at high speed and trying to race other cars in a busy part of Ipswich has narrowly avoided losing his licence.Dean Chapman, 20, was seen by police speeding around the Commercial Road, Chancery Road and Grafton Way loop, which is popular with boy racers.
A MECHANIC caught driving at high speed and trying to race other cars in a busy part of Ipswich has narrowly avoided losing his licence.
Dean Chapman, 20, was seen by police speeding around the Commercial Road, Chancery Road and Grafton Way loop, which is popular with boy racers.
At times a policewoman who pursued him was forced to back off as the speeds became dangerous.
During a hearing at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court yesterday Chapman, of Meadow Close, Trimley St Martin, pleaded guilty to careless or inconsiderate driving on September 21 last year.
Prosecuting, Stephen Colman told the court the policewoman had seen Chapman in a Ford Escort owned by his father accelerating at speed from traffic lights at the junction with Princes Street.
When she followed him three times around the road loop she witnessed him travelling at high speed.
When Chapman was finally stopped in Portman Road he immediately apologised to the officer and admitted what he had done was wrong.
Magistrate Jane Fiske told Chapman, 20, he had been foolish for driving in such a way.
She said: "It's a very foolish offence and could have been extremely dangerous with pedestrians about in the town centre."
Chapman, who has been driving for about two-and-a-half years, appealed to the magistrates not to take away his driving licence because of his job as a mechanic.
He said: "It would be quite serious for me because I'm a mechanic. I need my licence so I can take cars on road tests and make sure they are safe for customers to use."
"It was just really stupid, I shouldn't have done it. I regret doing it."
Chapman had his licence endorsed and was given eight penalty points.
He was also fined £100 and ordered to pay £43 costs.