TikTok star who led police on 90mph chase in bright yellow Chevrolet spared jail
A TikTok star who caused ‘havoc’ on the streets while leading police on a 90mph chase in her bright yellow muscle car has been spared jail.
Influencer Paige Brookes, 24, refused to stop when officers spotted her Chevrolet Coupe and tried to pull her over in Stafford in the early hours of September 3.
A friend had called the police the previous evening saying she was suicidal and they were worried about her.
Cannock Magistrates’ Court heard that Brookes also phoned the police during the chase, warning that she would deliberately crash unless they backed off.
Shortly afterwards she lost control of the wheel at a roundabout and smashed into railings.
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The Coupe span 180 degrees in the road before coming to a stop.
Brookes, of Stafford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to stop when required by a constable.
Her lawyer, Chris Clark, told the court: ‘The driving cannot be excused. It was reckless, impulsive and it is accepted that in stages it was dangerous.
‘To her credit, she was not driving at high speed on all parts of the journey. The roads were clear at that time of the morning.’
He added: ‘She was breathalysed at the scene and gave a reading of zero.
‘She had reached a very desperate situation that night. It was a cry for help.’
Brookes was given a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 150 hours unpaid work.
She was also banned from driving for a year.
Earlier, prosecutor Jason Dudhee told the court police received a call on September 2 from a concerned friend of the defendant who said she was suicidal.
Her whereabouts were unknown, but she had been seen driving her car.
At 2.15am the next day the car was picked up by ANPR cameras on the A34 and police went to locate it.
Mr Dudhee added: ‘Brookes called into the call room and stated she would crash if officers did not back off and she refused to stop.
‘The pursuit moved on to the A513. A stinger was deployed but she avoided it. She sped up to 90mph on that road. At that time there was light rain and the road was damp.
‘She drove at 50mph on a 30mph road and increased to 70mph while still in a 30mph zone. She continued driving at 50mph on Silkmore Lane.
‘She tried to turn right at a mini-roundabout but lost control and collided with railings on the side of the road. This spun her car 180 degrees before it came to a stop. She attempted to continue to drive but was unable to do so due to the front of her vehicle.’
Mr Dudhee added that it was a ‘prolonged pursuit’ and a ‘deliberate course of dangerous driving’.
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