A teenager appeared in court after leading the police in a high-speed car chase.
Brandon Hoyte appeared in Suffolk Magistrates’ Court Thursday to admit he had driven a dangerous motor vehicle on Barton Road, Bury St. Edmunds.
The police were called on Friday, September 13, 2019, for reports of a suspected stolen vehicle traveling on the A14.
Officials found a BMW 1 Series that 16-year-old Hoyte was driving towards Bury St. Edmunds, Prosecutor Mark Milkovics said.
“The police put their blue lights on, but the BMW didn’t stop and drove away at high speed, overtaking other vehicles and reaching speeds of 85 mph,” added Mr Milkovics.
“The defendant then drove the wrong way around a roundabout and forced other vehicles to swerve immediately to avoid a collision.
“The vehicle then hit a curb – a wheel was taken off the track.”
Mr Milkovics said the chase finally ended when the damaged bike prevented Hoyte from turning off the road.
He invited the judges to refer the case to the Crown Court for conviction because of Hoyte’s persistent driving, excessive speed and the fact that he was being followed by police.
Hoyte, now 18, of Grange Hill, Chigwell, had been convicted four times of 14 offenses – including gun possession, serious vehicle hijacking and dangerous driving in 2018 – before appearing in court this week.
Bruce Clark said Hoyte made good progress with probation for rehabilitation after being released from eight months of juvenile detention.
Mr Clark suggested that given his young age at the time of the offense, Hoyte could face lower trial.
“It’s changed a lot in the years in between,” he added.
“He understands that he can’t act like that.”
Mr Clark said Hoyte plans to return to training, gain a qualification in the construction skills certification system, and enter the construction business.
The judges took the case to the Crown Court and released Hoyte on unconditional bail pending his later conviction.