Man jailed following police pursuit in Runcorn

A man who led police on a dangerous pursuit through Runcorn has been jailed.

At around 7.30pm on Sunday 18 July, police were called to reports of an incident on Newquay Close in Runcorn.

Officers attended the address and found that Ashley Wright had been involved in an altercation with a woman. There were also reports that he had threatened her and her family with a weapon before leaving the address in a blue Audi A3.

A message was put out to all local officers and just moments later Wright’s car was spotted on Greenhouse Farm Road by officers from Cheshire Roads and Crime Unit.

The officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but instead Wright drove off at speed and led police on a pursuit through Runcorn and onto the M56.

The pursuit eventually came to a stop near to junction 7 of the M56 eastbound at Bowden where Wright was pulled from the car and arrested.

Officers went on to search his car where they discovered an axe, a baton, a knuckle duster, two mobile phones and a large quantity of cannabis.

Wright was subsequently charged with a number of offences.

The 38-year-old subsequently pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, criminal damage, possession with intent to supply class C drugs and two counts of possession on an offensive weapon.

Wright, of April Close, Manchester, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 21 December where he was sentenced to 28-months in prison.

He was also banned from driving for 3 years and 7 months and will be required to undertake an extended retest.

Inspector Anton Sullivan, of the Cheshire Police Roads and Crime Unit, said: “Wright is clearly a dangerous individual and I welcome the sentence that has been handed him.

“Not only did he threaten a vulnerable woman and her family, but he also led officers on a dangerous pursuit, showing no regard for those around him.

“However, he was no match for our specially trained officers and it was only a matter of time before he was brought to a stop and put before the courts.”