New Year’s Eve chaos erupted in Worksop when officers spotted a car blazing past them at 9.15pm. The driver, Charlie Francis, pulled a reckless stunt that nearly hit a member of the public before sparking a high-speed police chase.
Speed Demon’s Dangerous Ride
Francis swerved around a keep-left bollard and then shockingly drove the wrong way down a road. When officers switched on their blue lights and signalled him to stop, he ignored them and hammered his car at double the speed limit. He even mounted a kerb before finally coming to a halt on Priorswell Road.
Barricade Bashing and Escape Attempt
Instead of surrendering, the 35-year-old slammed his car into the police vehicle behind him—ramming it multiple times and causing damage. He then sped off again, trying to bash the police officers’ cars as they chased him. Eventually, they boxed him in, forcing Francis to jump out and attempt a getaway on foot. But his run was short-lived as officers caught him quickly.
Three Times Over Limit and Outlaw Driver
A breathalyser test revealed Francis was almost three times over the legal alcohol limit. To make matters worse, he was driving while disqualified. He was charged with dangerous driving, drunk driving, driving while disqualified, and lacking the right insurance.
Prison Time and Long Driving Ban
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on 13 February, Francis pleaded guilty and was jailed for 20 months. He also received a four-year-and-10-month driving ban. After this period, he must retake his driving test before hitting the road legally again.
