A dog led police to its owner who was hiding in a loft after fleeing on an illegal e-scooter. Charles Foy, 41, from Runcorn, was jailed for three months and banned from driving for four years and three months.
Chase began after cannabis smell
The incident began one evening in February when a patrolling officer detected a strong smell of cannabis coming from Foy. He refused to pull over, and a chase ensued with Foy riding down cul-de-sacs and narrow alleyways in an attempt to escape.
During the escape, one of his two pet dogs, a labrador retriever, fell behind and was left behind. Police bodycam footage showed how the pursuing officer left his car and coaxed the dog into leading him to an address on Beaconsfield Road, Runcorn.
Found hiding under insulation
At the property, which appeared unoccupied, the second dog appeared at a ground floor window. Officers entered the property and found an open loft hatch. In the footage, one officer expressed reluctance to enter the loft, saying: "I'm not prepared to fall through the f***ing ceiling to catch the dweeb. There's a box there, I think he's behind it."
Shortly afterwards, officers found Foy underneath several pieces of insulation. An officer said: "Get out, get out now. You know you've done something, that's why you're hiding in the loft, get down." Foy responded: "Calm the f*** down. I've been trying to get some sleep." He claimed he had been asleep in the loft due to the overcrowded nature of the property and had not been out riding the e-scooter that night. He later told officers he was unaware that police cars were fitted with sirens.
Jailed and banned from driving
Foy appeared at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Friday, August 7, where he was sentenced to three months in prison and banned from driving for four years and three months. He had previously been found guilty of failing to stop for police, driving whilst disqualified, using a motor vehicle without insurance and failing to provide a drug test following a one-day trial in March 2026.
PC Mike Smith, of Runcorn Response, said: "Whilst Foy showed no loyalty to his own dog as he attempted to make good his escape from pursuing police, the pup ultimately remained loyal and provided us with a vital lead - taking us straight to the address of his master."
He added: "The custodial sentence and the four-plus-year road ban handed to Foy reflects the serious nature of the offences he committed. Not only did he appear to be riding under the influence of substances that could severely impair his reaction times, but the fact of the matter is that he was riding an illegal vehicle that can reach considerable speeds in a matter of seconds and can have devastating effects should a collision occur.
"Vehicles like e-scooters and e-bike cannot be ridden on public roads due to the fact that they cannot be insured. In these cases, they may actually be classed as a motor vehicle, meaning the rider would need a licence, insurance and a helmet - something many riders like Foy do not possess."
