Dangerous driver hit 98mph in bid to outrun police through Northampton neighbourhoods

A boy racer who tore through residential streets in Northampton at up to 60mph trying to escape police was spared jail yesterday.

Emanuel Grigore, of Watermeadow Drive, led officers on a dangerous high-speed chase through the town after police tried to pull him over for a risky overtake on Kettering Road.

Instead of accepting fault, the 21-year-old tore off at 80mph on the major Northampton road in a bid to escape.

Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane told Grigore at Northampton Crown Court yesterday (January 12): "You put yourself, the police officers, other road users and anyone else on those streets that night at risk."

Over the next 10 minutes, Grigore ran red lights and hit at 96mph on the 60mph Talevera Way.

He tore through residential neighbourhoods in Lings Way and Crestwood Road at up to 60mph and narrowly avoided parked cars.

At one point, he even attempted to turn the wrong way on to A43 into oncoming traffic - before police tactically clipped the back of his BMW so it would spin the other direction.

Eventually, Grigore led officers to Watermeadow Drive and came to a stop - outside his own house.

Officers found his girlfriend had been in the passenger seat the entire time.

He was also uninsured and had no license.

When questioned, the 21-year-old said he thought he could escape police and "didn't want to miss his little brother's birthday party".

The court also heard Grigore had bought the BMW with "all of his savings" five days before. It was seized because it was uninsured and has reportedly been crushed.

However, the judge was convinced to spare Grigore from prison, saying: "Normally for this type of driving I would likely send you to prison. But because of your young age and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on those in custody, I'm going to pass a community order."

Grigore was handed a 12 month community order with 15 days of rehabilitation.