A wanted motorist who drove at speed the wrong way along the hard shoulder of the M65 has been jailed.
At around 8.30pm on July 31 our officers were looking for a blue Ford Fiesta which was believed to be using false registration plates. The vehicle was registered to wanted defendant Kieran Philibin.
The Fiesta was spotted by our officers in Princess Way, Burnley, and followed onto Active Way. Philibin failed to stop for our officers and a pursuit ensued.
The Fiesta jumped a red light and Philibin went the wrong way around a roundabout and then the wrong way down the dual carriageway section of Princess Way heading towards Junction 11 of the M65.
After engaging in more reckless driving, Philibin entered the M65 at Junction 11 and drove the wrong way up the slip road.
The Fiesta travelled at speed for 1.5 miles, before coming to a stop and Philibin and his front seat passenger running from the scene.
The front seat passenger was detained a short distance away from the car and Philibin was arrested hiding nearby.
Philibin, 36, of Samuel Street, Stockport, was charged and convicted of dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving without insurance and drug-driving.
He appeared at Burnley Crown Court earlier this month and was sentenced to 16 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 5 years and 8 months. He must take an extended re-test.
PC Anthony Beckett, of Lancashire Police’s Tactical Operations, said: “This was an appalling piece of driving committed by a man who was actively trying to evade arrest. As shown the footage there were many motorists on the M65 that day who will have been shocked and terrified by Philibin’s reckless and selfish actions, which could have easily resulted in somebody being seriously injured or killed.
“This behaviour will not be tolerated on the roads of Lancashire and we will do everything in our power to put the perpetrators before the courts.”
