A beautician who led police on a 120mph chase while high on crack cocaine and heroin has walked free from court. Paige Thomason, 28, crashed into traffic lights at the end of the pursuit, having reached 100mph in a 40mph zone and gone through five sets of red lights.
The mother of three was spotted by officers in Liverpool at 2.27am on July 12, driving a Renault Megane while disqualified and uninsured. When police activated their sirens, she accelerated away, reaching 50mph in a 30mph area before hitting the motorway.
Liverpool Crown Court heard she 'ticked almost every aggravating feature' of dangerous driving. After crashing, she fled on foot but was caught by police and a dog unit. She later admitted taking crack cocaine, heroin and alcohol, and refused to provide a blood sample.
Defence lawyer Louise McCloskey said Thomason had 'a complete and utter disregard for her own life' due to substance abuse and mental health issues. Judge Neil Flewitt QC, saying he was 'struggling to see' how he could avoid jail, ultimately gave her a chance to tackle her problems, sparing her immediate imprisonment.
Thomason had previously served 10 months in 2011 for wounding after stabbing an ex-boyfriend. She pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without a licence or insurance, and failing to provide a specimen.
