Banned police chase driver who attempted to flee on foot avoids jail

A danger driver who sparked a police chase when he was spotted behind the wheel while banned has kept his freedom. Officers had noticed Adam Whiffin driving a van on November 19 last year and were aware he should not be on the roads due to a three year disqualification. Newcastle Crown Court heard Whiffin failed to stop for their blue lights and sirens on the A690 in Sunderland and then forced members of the public out of his path as tried to get away. Prosecutor Calum McNicholas told the court: "Officers described the defendant driving at more than double the speed limit in a pedestrian area, with moderate traffic flow, then drive on the wrong side of the road and directly towards oncoming traffic. "The traffic driving towards him was forced to aggressively brake. "As a pedestrian crossed the road they were forced to run to avoid being hit by the defendant's driving." The court heard Whiffin drove dangerously until he reached York Crescent, where he tried to get away on foot but was caught. Whiffin, 38, of Hetton le Hole, Houghton, Sunderland, admitted dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified and failing to surrender at an earlier court hearing. The court heard he had received a six week prison sentence for failing to provide a specimen last year, which resulted in the three year road ban. Whiffin, who served time in the armed forces, told the probation service he had used to van to earn a living as a labourer, despite being disqualified. Helen Towers, defending, said Whiffin has insight into his offending and now has a job in a factory, which he gets to using public transport. Mr Recorder Andrew Latimer sentenced Whiffin to 30 weeks, suspended for 18 months, with 100 hours unpaid work, rehabilitation requirements and a three year ban. The recorder said it was "fortunate" no damage was done to people or vehicles that night.