WATCH: Dangerous driver drove wrong way on M62 in police chase

The officer pursuing Jimmy McCann was forced to crash into the defendant’s black Ford Mondeo in a bid to stop him.

The 36-year-old driver, who was disqualified and without insurance at the time, has now been locked up after putting other road users at serious risk of harm.

Chester Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday that the incident occurred two days prior on Saturday at around 8pm.

A Cheshire Police officer on patrol spotted McCann driving a black Ford Mondeo erratically on the M6 northbound near to junction 19 for Tabley.

Following checks, the officer found that the vehicle was also displaying cloned registration plates.

McCann continued to drive in a dangerous manner, swerving across lanes on the M6 and travelling at speeds of up to 120mph.

He then slowed the vehicle down to 40mph before stopping on the hard shoulder.

But when the officer approached, the defendant made off in the vehicle at speed, and a pursuit was declared.

McCann failed to stop and made a very late exit from the M6 at junction 21A at Croft and continued along the slip road before joining the M62 westbound.

Still undeterred, he made a u-turn and tried to proceed back down the slip road the wrong way, with the officer forced to use his police car to collide with the Mondeo and tactically end the pursuit.

McCann, of Pluckley Road in Bethersden, Kent, was subsequently arrested for multiple offences.

During his police interview, he initially claimed to be a passenger in the back seat while someone else was driving – until he was shown irrefutable video footage to the contrary.

As a result, he was later charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.

Appearing in court on Monday, he pleaded guilty to the three charges and was sentenced to eight months in prison, to be served immediately.

On top of his custodial sentence, McCann was banned from driving for 30 months and must pass an extended test before he can get a licence again.

A passenger in the vehicle, a 38-year-old man, was also arrested, but no further action was taken against him.

Inspector Bradley Hughes, of Cheshire Police’s roads and crime unit, said: “Over recent days, the force has dealt with several serious collisions.

“The effects of these can devastate families, especially as we enter the Christmas period.

“Thankfully, in this instance, no one was seriously injured as a result of McCann’s dangerous driving, but the consequences could have been far worse.

“Cars can be lethal weapons, particularly when they are being driven dangerously, or by those under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“He put his life and the lives of other road users at considerable risk, and I welcome the sentence handed to him.”