Necton driver Joshua Hagan disqualified after he ‘panicked’ and got in car chase with police

A 20-year-old who was overtaking other vehicles while trying to get away from the police was also caught with a Class B drug the following day.

Joshua Hagan, of Brackenwoods in Necton, appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to the offences of dangerous driving and failing to stop for a police officer.

He also admitted having cannabis on him.

Prosecutor Qamar Iqbal explained that on October 4 at around 4.30pm, police officers were travelling down the A47 and said they had cause to stop the Ford Focus that Hagan was driving.

As officers activated their blue lights, Hagan turned right onto Tun Road in Necton and overtook another car at an increased speed and did not stop for the police.

At one point, Hagan’s car went onto the verge and continued driving.

Police noted that drivers and members of the public in the area became “aggravated” by Hagan’s manner of driving.

The following day, police went to Hagan’s property relating to the previous day’s events. Officers noted the smell of cannabis and found some in the house.

In his police interview, Hagan admitted to hearing the siren when being followed by police, but said he panicked and kept driving.

Hagan has no previous convictions to his name.

In mitigation, George Sorrell said: “Going back to the police interview, he was cooperative. He is a young man of good character.

“He made a mistake and was full and frank.

“What happened was he was driving from Lynn, it was uneventful, but unknown to him at the time, police had their eyes on him.”

The solicitor added: “By the time he got to Necton, he panicked and decided to drive that short distance. It was very bad driving and put people at risk.

“If someone was injured or died, he would have been in prison.”

Magistrates, led by Joselin Girling, disqualified Hagan from driving for 12 months.

He was also handed a 12-month community order, which involves 100 hours of unpaid work.

Before Hagan gets behind the wheel again, he will have to do an extended driving re-test.

He was fined £50 for having cannabis and was ordered to pay court costs of £145 and a victim surcharge of £114.