Matthew Parkes has been banned from driving
stokesentinel Administrator
10:17, 04 Jan 2026
Smallthorne roundabouts
Dangerous driver Matthew Parkes suffered a broken hip after crashing into a pole as he tried to evade arrest. The 31-year-old took police on a chase in the early hours of the morning which included him failing to slow for speed humps, failing to stop for police, going the wrong way around a roundabout, driving on the wrong side of the road, and speeding before he lost control and crashed into the pole in Nile Street, Burslem.
Now magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre have ordered an ‘all-options’ pre-sentence report to be prepared on Parkes who will learn his fate at the court on May 18.
Prosecutor Kyle Padley said police were following a black Peugeot car on Little Chell Lane, Tunstall, at 12.45am on July 11 and noticed it did not slow down for speed humps and its rear brake lights were continuously illuminated.
Mr Padley said: “It did not stop at a stop sign. It turned on to High Lane. Police illuminated their blue lights. It did not stop and accelerated away at speed. It was travelling at 60mph in a 30mph zone.
“He approached a roundabout, joining on the wrong side of the road and going around it the wrong way. It continued in the direction of Smallthorne on the wrong side of the road at several points. At Smallthorne roundabout it headed towards Cobridge on the wrong side of the road. It overtook another car at 45mph. Police deployed a stinger to stop the car. It continued at speed. Police pulled back while the tyres were deflating.
“It narrowly missed a parked lorry in the offside and as it reached Nile Street it made no attempt to brake. It veered across both lanes and collided heavily with a pole. The police attended. The driver was in and out of consciousness and was taken to hospital. Some roll-ups of cannabis were found in the vehicle.”
In his police interview Parkes admitted what he did was stupid. He said he panicked.
Parkes, of Barks Drive, Norton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving; possession of a class B drug; driving without a licence; driving without insurance; and driving without a valid test certificate.
Alison Downs, mitigating, said no-one else was hurt but Parkes sustained a broken hip.
Miss Downs said: “He made full and frank admissions and is genuinely remorseful. He makes no excuses for his actions, other than sheer panic. He has entered timely guilty pleas at the first opportunity. There are realistic prospects of rehabilitation. He can work with the probation service and is keen to do so.”
Magistrates disqualified Parkes from driving on an interim basis. They extended his bail until his sentencing hearing on May 18.
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