Bulwell driver outran police in high-speed chase on errand for mum

Officers in a marked police car saw a grey Mercedes driving towards them at speed on Cinderhill Road, Bulwell, just before midday on June 14 last year, said prosecutor Stuart Pattinson at Nottingham Crown Court.

They caught a glimpse of William Goldhawk at the wheel, spun their car around and gave chase, following the Mercedes on to Seller’s Wood Drive, where it reached 60mph through a residential area while people were walking.

Goldhawk overtook other vehicles and reached 80mph on Low Wood Road, before crossing Nuthall roundabout on the wrong side, and losing the police.

Mr Pattinson said an off-duty police officer on New Farm Lane, Nuthall, had to jump out of the way when Goldhawk drove past.

The defendant gave himself up to the officer after claiming to a member of the public that he had run out of petrol.

One officer said Goldhawk was “extremely lucky that no serious harm was caused to other road users” during the five mile chase.

The court heard he was jailed for supplying Class A drugs, in 2016, and released in January 2018.

Recorder Jason MacAdam said: "He said he drove the car by necessity believing he was being chased – but there's no evidence to support that. It's a preposterous explanation. Why not stop?"

Andrew Wesley, mitigating, said there were no aggravating features like drink or drugs and he stopped driving “voluntarily.”

He said Goldhawk, who is unemployed, borrowed the Mercedes from a family friend and was running an errand for his mother at the time.

Goldhawk, 38, of Dove Street, Bulwell, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court, on March 11.

The judge told him: "You were travelling at double the speed limit. I have no idea what you were doing that day. I, like the police, am strongly suspicious that you had a criminal motivation.”

He sentenced him to nine months, suspended for 15 months, with 100 hours of unpaid work and 12 rehabilitation sessions to address his “thinking deficits.”

A three-month curfew, from 8pm to 7am, was also imposed and he must pay £400 prosecution costs. He was banned for 12 months.