Teen driver taunted police as high speed chase was filmed on phone

A TEENAGER taunted police officers during a dangerous high speed chase which was filmed on a mobile phone by one of his passengers, a court heard.

Brandon Marshall, 19, rammed police cars during the lengthy pursuit through built up residential areas of Wakefield.

Leeds Crown Court heard police were contacted on the evening of October 8 this year by members of the public concerned about a car being driven dangerously and the driver appearing to be drunk.

Officers caught up with Marshall’s Ford Ka on Doncaster Road, Crofton, as he headed towards Normanton.

Martin Robertshaw, prosecuting, said Marshall switched his lights off and drove at double the 30mph speed limit along Black Road.

He then crossed a double white line and drove uphill in the middle of the road.

Mr Robertshaw said: “Police said there was a dense mist over the brow of the road and he would not have had any view of oncoming traffic.”

Marshall, who had three passengers, then went through red lights and a pedestrianised precinct in Normanton town centre as officers lost sight of him.

The helicopter was deployed and he was spotted heading towards Stanley Ferry.

The prosecutor said: “As he approached Stanley Ferry it was noticed that a passenger in the defendant’s car was holding a mobile phone out of the window in an attempt to record the chase with the police.”

Marshall then headed along Aberford Road to Wakefield city centre as f police cars tried to stop the pursuit by boxing him in.

Marshall swerved into one of the police cars and managed to get away.

The teenager then headed away from the city centre towards Wrenthorpe where officers managed to bring the vehicle to a stop.

They had to use a baton to smash the car windows and restrain Marshall. Mr Robertshaw said it was clear that Marshall was drunk but he refused to give a breath sample after being handcuffed.

The prosecutor said: “He was gloating about the manner of his driving, He seemed pleased about the fact that he had been involved in this chase with the police.”

The court heard Marshall then said to an officer: “You should see that baton I have got in my car. I could have wrapped it around your head.”

The weapon was then recovered from the vehicle.

After being arrested he continued to gloat, saying: “I could have ditched the car and ran but no, I will take the chase.”

Marshall was banned from driving at the time of the incident and told officers he had bought the car for £70 two days before the incident.

He was sent to a young offenders institution for 12 months after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to provide a breath specimen, possession of an offensive weapon and failing to surrender to custody.

Richard Reed, mitigating, said Marshall accepted that he must be locked up and said his client had pleaded guilty to the offences at an early opportunity.

Recorder Peter Pimm told Marshall: “It was the most disgraceful piece of driving over a long period.

“At the time you had been disqualified from driving and behaved in a manner that was gloating.

“Such shows of bravado will not be tolerated. You must now pay the price.”