Drunk Bath teenager drove dangerously in 14-minute police pursuit

Despite losing a tyre two minutes into a police pursuit, a Bath teenager who was over the alcohol limit and didn’t have a licence or insurance carried on driving dangerously for another 12 minutes with two terrified passengers in his Renault Clio.

Dramatic police footage of the pursuit on 12th July, which started in Peasedown St John and ended on the Upper Bristol Road in Bath, was played to magistrates on Monday, 27th July.

In the dock was 18-year-old Karell Scott, of Woodside Road in Twerton.

He had been followed by police after being seen driving erratically in Peasedown St John. He headed along the A367 through Dunkerton, turning on to Old Fosse Road at Odd Down and then down Rush Hill, into Whiteway Road and The Hollow.

Scott drove around several streets in Twerton before joining Lower Bristol Road and then heading up Bellotts Road and into Oldfield Park.

From Brook Road he headed over to Windsor Bridge Road and left on to Upper Bristol Road where another police car blocked his way and he finally came to a halt.

The footage showed the Clio being driven erratically, going through red lights and crossing on to the other side of the road. It also topped 60mph in a 20mph zone.

The prosecutor told Bath magistrates that no one had been injured, but the two women in the car had been “very scared” and calling for help.

Scott, who was in breach of a community order imposed in May, admitted five charges – driving dangerously on various roads; driving with 40 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35, failing to stop for police; having no insurance; and driving without a licence.

Scott was represented in court by solicitor Vanessa Pople. She said he had issues including autism, ADHD and other mental health difficulties yet to be ascertained.

She said he had only met the women who were in the car that night.

He had “panicked” when the police flagged for him to stop and made off, adding: “He was never going to get away but he tried.”

She said his offending had crossed the custody threshold but asked magistrates to suspend any sentence, describing him as “highly impressionable” and that if he was locked up, he would meet older men who could “teach him a few tricks” which would not benefit society or him.

Scott already had convictions for offences including carrying a flick knife, possessing cannabis, and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence.

Magistrates removed a community order already in place and resentenced Scott. He was given 24 weeks at a young offender institution, suspended for 18 months.

He must abide by a curfew at his home from 7pm until 7am for three months during which time he will be tagged. He must also complete up to 25 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 18 months for dangerous driving and a concurrent 12 months for drink-driving. He will have to take an extended driving test before getting behind the wheel.

Scott, who is on benefits, was also fined £120 for drink-driving.

He must pay £85 prosecution costs and a £154 court surcharge.

There were no separate penalties for failing to stop the vehicle on being required to do so and for the licence and insurance offences.