Andrew Weir-Blake, 46, from Sheffield, stood before Worthing magistrates on Thursday (July 3) accused of various offences, including dangerous driving, failing to stop and possession of an offensive weapon.

Linda Arnell, prosecuting, said Mr Weir-Blake was allegedly driving a Ford Mondeo car along the A259 near Tesco's in Littlehampton when police officers requested he stop, believing he was driving without insurance.

Mrs Arnell claimed Mr Weir-Blake refused and drove at high speed away from the officers.

Reckless

A pursuit followed towards Worthing, said Mrs Arnell, during which Mr Weir-Blake allegedly drove on to a footpath to avoid a lorry in the road and passed a number of cars recklessly and at high speed.

During the chase Mr Weir-Blake struck a kerb, said Mrs Arnell, causing a tyre to come away from the wheel and sparks to fly across the carriageway.

The pursuit came to an end when officers used a tactical manouevre to force the car to a stop in Aldsworth Avenue, Goring.

Three police cars and the defendant's car were damaged.

Knife

Mrs Arnell said when officers searched the car, they found a seven-inch divers' knife.

Adrian Butt, defending, said Mr Weir-Blake, a manic depressive, had no recollection even of how he came to be in West Sussex, for possibly up to two weeks before the crash, and certainly did not recall anything about the chase.

Mr Weir-Blake was remanded in custody by magistrates and his case will return to court on Tuesday, July 8.


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