Motorcyclist leads police on high-speed chase but AVOIDS jail despite dangerous antics

A "dangerous and reckless" biker who took police on a wild chase through Cheshire has narrowly avoided jail time. Philip Hunter was one of two riders that cops tried to pull over close to the M56.

The heart-stopping chase was caught on camera, showing Hunter dodging between cars and speeding down rural roads. A police chopper joined the high-speed pursuit.

The 25 year old from Northwich was eventually nicked after he ditched his bike in some shrubbery in a village and made a run for it.

Hunter faced the music at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Thursday 12 September, where he received a 26-week jail term suspended for two years. He had admitted to dangerous driving earlier.

Alongside the suspension, he's been disqualified from driving for a year and must pass an extended driving test before getting back on the road, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The court was told how on Wednesday 17 July, around 4:30 pm, Cheshire Police's Motorcycle Unit tried to stop two motorcyclists by junction 12 of the M56 near Hapsford. Both bikers didn't stop and zoomed off towards Frodsham on the A56.

Cheshire Constabulary released a statement saying: "Officers lost sight of one of the bikes, but they continued to follow the second bike ridden by Philip Hunter as he led police on a pursuit into the Weaverham area of Northwich."

"As the Police Motorcycle officers were travelling towards Weaverham, they were joined by several other officers from the Roads and Crime Unit and the Police helicopter, who helped support the pursuit."

"Upon entering the village, Hunter abandoned his bike and attempted to make off on foot but was quickly located by the police helicopter and arrested."

After the court's decision, Chief Inspector John Forshaw of the Roads and Crime Unit remarked: "Hunter is clearly a dangerous individual, who put the lives of officers and innocent members of the public at risk for no apparent reason whatsoever .His reckless behaviour led officers on a pursuit across rural Cheshire, throughout which he showed no regard for those around them."

"However, despite his repeated attempts to evade officers, there really was nowhere to hide and he has now been held accountable for his actions. As this case demonstrates, no matter what you are driving or riding, we will use all the tactics available to us to ensure that those who break the law in Cheshire are brought to justice."