Driver abandoned car in bid to escape justice

A DISQUALIFIED driver who abandoned his car in a bid to escape the police was jailed for four months. Reginald Earwaker, who is serving a five-month sentence imposed last month for dangerous driving and driving while disqualified, was also given another

A DISQUALIFIED driver who abandoned his car in a bid to escape the police was jailed for four months.

Reginald Earwaker, who is serving a five-month sentence imposed last month for dangerous driving and driving while disqualified, was also given another 14-day sentence for failing to pay fines totalling almost £1,500.

Appearing before Ely magistrates on Thursday, Earwaker, 49, of West Drive Gardens, Soham, changed his plea at the start of proceedings.

At an earlier hearing, he had denied driving while disqualified and failing to stop for the police on October 25, but last week admitted both offences.

"Police on duty in Littleport saw a Renault Clio travelling from the A10 on to Wisbech Road, in Littleport," said prosecutor Angela Sassoli. "They recognised Reginald Earwaker and knew he was a disqualified driver."

Earwaker had been banned for two years four months earlier, and officers used their police car's blue lights and sirens to try to stop Earwaker, but he sped off.

His car was found in a residential estate, the bonnet and exhaust were warm, but Earwaker could not be found. Ten days later, he was arrested but refused to answer any questions.

Asking the magistrates to give Earwaker a custodial sentence, solicitor Kevin Warboys said the sentencing was a "tidying-up exercise," dealing with offences not before the court last month. Earwaker was also given a one-year driving ban.

The Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence on an allegation of possessing amphetamine, previously denied by Earwaker, and the magistrates dismissed the case.