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WORDS BYLINE: Lincs Online Reporter
A man who led police on a chase for nearly 40 minutes and reached speeds of up to 100mph has been disqualified from driving.
The police chase involving 19-year-old Christopher Bill, of Hartington Close, Grantham, at the wheel of a black BMW only came to an end when police deployed a stinger device.
The incident happened on Monday, July 7, at just before 4pm, when an officer from Lincolnshire Police’s roads policing team noticed a black BMW being driven on Dysart Road in Grantham.
It was known to the officer that only a woman was insured to drive the car but he could see it was being driven by a large-built male with a passenger in the front seat.
The car was being driven by Bill and the officer indicated to Bill to stop the car, but he accelerated away.  Bill was chased by police into Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, a pursuit that lasted nearly 40 minutes and was all captured on dashcam from the police car.
On several occasions, the car was driven at speeds just short of 100mph. Bill also drove on the wrong side of the road, the wrong side of keep left signs and crossed over solid white lines, all while driving at excessive speed. He also came close to having head on collisions with oncoming cars, forcing them to take avoiding action.
Bill drove along The Drift, Grantham, reaching speeds of 70mph in a 50mph limit.  He drove through villages which had a 30mph limit while travelling at more than 50mph.  As Bill approached Harston in Leicestershire, he reached speeds of 90mph, 30mph above the 60mph limit.  He continued driving at excessive speeds and excessively dangerously.
While still in Leicestershire and driving towards Harby, Bill drove in excess of 90mph carrying out overtakes against oncoming cars forcing them to take avoiding action.
During the chase, the police’s force control room received a call from the passenger in the vehicle, who was Bill’s girlfriend. She said she feared for her safety and was crying. She said she owned the car and wanted Bill to stop the car but he was refusing.
The pursuit was eventually stopped safely when officers deployed a stinger device in Gorse Lane, Grantham, which deflated the tyres of the BMW.
Bill was arrested and charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance, failing to stop and driving without a full driving licence.
He pleaded guilty previously and was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday (February 2).
He was disqualified from driving for 1 year, he was placed on a curfew between the hours of 8pm and 8am for four months.  He must complete 30 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and completed 150 hours of unpaid work.