Men jailed following dangerous pursuit across Cheshire

Two men who led police on a 90-minute pursuit across three different police forces areas have been sentenced.

Jake Fagan and Connor Mitchell appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 10 April, both charged with multiple offences.

Fagan, 29, of Exeter Road, Ellesmere Port, was sentenced to four years and eight months. He pleaded guilty to section 47 assault, possession of a knife, criminal damage, possession with intent to supply class A drugs - cocaine, handling stolen goods, dangerous driving and driving without insurance. He is also disqualified from driving for five years and 28 months.

Mitchell, 29, of Farmdale Drive, Elton, Chester, was sentenced to three years and six months. He pleaded guilty to possession of a knife and possession with intent to supply class A drugs - cocaine.

Shortly before 2.45pm on Thursday 18 July, a motorist reported a road rage incident in Deansgate, Ellesmere Port, in which two suspects on a motorcycle had blocked the road and threatened her with a knife and smashed a rear window of her vehicle.

The suspects then fled the scene on the motorcycle.

Cheshire Police’s Roads and Crime Unit, along with armed patrols, attended the scene, guided by NPAS.

A pursuit commenced and NPAS took the commentary from the air to aid the ground patrols.

The pursuit lasted for almost 90 minutes and travelled from Ellesmere Port into Merseyside, across to Chester, then on to Frodsham, crossed into North Wales, then back into Chester. This included driving at speeds of 90mph and driving contra on the M56.

A stinger tactic was deployed in Grovensor Street, Chester, and another in Nicholas Street, near to Watergate Street, which led to the arrest of both the rider and passenger of the motorcycle after a short foot chase. Fagan was identified as the rider while Mitchell was the passenger.

The suspects discarded a bag during the pursuit which was later recovered and found to contain class A drugs.

During interview, Fagan punched and headbutted a wall, causing two holes, and was further arrested for criminal damage.

The pair were quickly charged with multiple offences.

The assault charge Fagan was sentenced for also related to an incident on 14 July 2024. A man had been in Eton Road, Ellesmere Port, when two men on a motorcycle approached him. They made threats, before Fagan assaulted him.

Detective Constable Demi Brownrigg said:

“I welcome the sentences handed to Fagan and Mitchell who clearly showed no regard for the safety of members of the public by leading police on an incredibly dangerous pursuit.

“The pursuit crossed into three separate police force areas, however, thanks to our officers working together, we were able to keep up with the suspects and eventually bring their alarming behaviour to an end. This included bringing them to court for class A drugs offences.

“This should serve as an example that if you commit crime in Cheshire, we will find you, and we will utilise all of the resources at our disposal to protect the communities that we serve while bringing you to justice.”

Watch the police pursuit here...