A learner driver put his passenger in hospital after crashing his ‘pool car’ Corsa during a police chase.

The front seat passenger in Luke Marney’s Vauxhall, which was uninsured and suspected to be a ‘pool car’ available to a number of criminals, was in intensive care for 11 days after the Adderbury smash.

The victim, who had not supported the prosecution and was himself interviewed under caution, dislocated his right leg and suffered broken ribs, shoulder and jaw.

Sentencing him to two years’ imprisonment suspended for two years at Oxford Crown Court on Friday morning, Judge Nigel Daly said 23-year-old Marney had behaved in a ‘ridiculous manner’.

“What was going on that night I really don’t know. But I suppose although that may affect the reason for your driving in the manner that you were, I have got to deal with you for the actual driving not the reason itself,” the judge said.

“Although I am a but curious about what was going on that night I will confine myself to the actual driving.

“It was appalling.”

Prosecutor Sarita Basra said police officers patrolling Banbury in an unmarked car on the night of September 15 last year noticed Marney’s Corsa revving its engine. They thought he was showing off.

The officers turned on their blue lights and asked the driver to pull over after watching the Vauxhall cut up another motorist.

Marney suddenly pulled away from the kerb, narrowly missing parked cars and leaving the officers fearful they were about to be rammed.

During the ensuing four minute chase, the Corsa went through red lights, drove on the wrong side of the road and hit 70mph in a 40 zone.

The police called off the pursuit, fearing for the safety of other drivers. They lost sight of the Corsa then, as they neared Adderbury on the Aynho Road, saw it crash as it tried to cut in after overtaking a line of traffic. Eyewitnesses estimated the Vauxhall was doing 80 to 100mph.

At the scene, Marney told the emergency crews his passengers had ‘made him do it’. In reply to the caution when he was arrested, he claimed not to have been driving.

Marney, of Fairlawn Close, Willenhall, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving without a licence or insurance. He only held a provisional licence.

The defendant told the author of a pre-sentence report that he’d been pressured into driving away from the police by his two passengers, who he’d picked up in Walsall.

Mitigating, Justin Jarmola said his client was remorseful, had suffered significant injuries himself and there had been some delay in the matter coming to court. He already had one child and was expecting his second.

Judge Daly ordered Marney do 180 hours of unpaid work and up to 50 rehabilitation days. He was banned from driving for three years and must pass an extended retest if he wants to drive legitimately.

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