Cumbria driver jailed after 10mph police pursuit

A man who attempted to get away from police by driving at just 10mph has been handed an immediate 12-month prison sentence.

Jack Lowrey was spotted driving erratically through parts of Cumbria on the evening of 11 January as if “under the influence of something”, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

During a 16-minute “chase”, the 21-year-old drove slowly with his lights off before having his tyres punctured by a police stinger and being forced to stop against a wall.

Lowrey, who had been given 16 months in February 2024 for threatening to kill someone while holding scissors to their throat, admitted dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking.

Previously of Distington but currently of no fixed abode, he also admitted to failing to provide a specimen and having no insurance or licence.

He will also be banned from driving for 36 months after his release and will have to take an extended test before getting behind the wheel again.

The incident began when Lowrey took a red Ford Focus courtesy vehicle without his family’s permission.

He had initially attracted the attention of officers while sitting in the vehicle on Moorclose Road in Workington, before then heading south towards Whitehaven where the blue light pursuit began.

Upon his arrest, he was taken to a police station where he refused to co-operate and shouted abuse.

Lowrey’s barrister told the court how he had gone “out of control” and started to use alcohol to cope after his father was handed a lengthy jail term in 2023.

Passing sentence, Judge Nicholas Barker said he had “little hesitation” in finding that Lowrey was “heavily intoxicated” during what “was a determined attempt, by you, to evade the police”.