Drink-driver leads police on high-speed chase through Nottingham before crashing into parked cars

Police said he had been drinking in a club before the chase

A drink-driver jumped red lights before crashing into parked cars during a police chase through Nottingham. Nottingham Crown Court heard how the pursuit took place while revellers were enjoying their nights out in the city centre.

Officers on patrol spotted Declan Muers driving at speed along Maid Marian Way shortly after 4am on Sunday, February 18. The 27-year-old, of Mapperley, failed to stop after they illuminated their blue lights and went through five red lights before crashing into two parked cars in Hungerhill Road, St Ann’s.

PC Fraser Heaton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Muers showed a clear disregard for the safety of others by driving dangerously through a city centre in poor weather conditions.

“He was in no fit state to be behind the wheel of a car and it is fortunate he didn’t cause harm to another road user or pedestrian. He was also extremely lucky not to have sustained a more serious injury himself after losing control and crashing into two parked vehicles.”

No-one was struck or injured by Muers, but the defendant sustained a head injury when he lost control of his blue Volkswagen Scirocco and crashed, the court was told. Officers took him to Queen’s Medical Centre for treatment to a cut head before transferring him into custody, where he was charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop when required by a police constable and drink-driving.

Muers, of Brewsters Road, then blew a reading of 49 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35. He pleaded guilty to all three offences and was jailed for 16 months, suspended for two years, on Monday, October 7.

He was further disqualified from driving for two years, given a four-month curfew and told to complete 10 rehabilitation sessions. PC Fraser Heaton said: “During his police interview, he told us he’d been drinking in a nightclub and left after becoming angry about something that had happened.

“He should have got a taxi home but seemingly didn’t want to pay a fare. Now he’s paid a heftier price in court with the loss of his driver's licence."