Banned driver jailed after leading police on high-speed chase in stolen car

A banned driver from Lancashire who led police on a 15-minute high-speed chase in a stolen car has been jailed for two and a half years.

When he was arrested, officers found 15 car keys and a device for cloning car keys in the car beng driven by Matthew Graham Towler. He also had a lock pick on him.

Towler (15/04/1980), of Blake Avenue, Lostock Hall, Preston, was sentenced to 30 months behind bars at Manchester Crown Court today (6 January) after pleading guilty to the following offences:

• Dangerous driving
• Driving while disqualified
• Handling stolen goods
• Going equipped for the theft of a motor vehicle

Officers gave chase when they spotted Towler's Ford Fiesta travelling at high speed on Cleggs Lane, Little Hulton, Salford, at 1:30am on 25 November 2021.

Towler continued to increase his speed while being pursued by police, reaching speeds of up to 100mph and travelling on the wrong side of the road.

In Tyldesley town centre, Towler drove at 90mph in a 20mph area, eventually clipping a kerb on Elliott Street and coming to a stop.

Towler left the vehicle but officers gave chase and arrested him close by.

Detective Sergeant Daniel Worthington, of GMP Salford's Organised Crime Unit, said: "Further patrols then began to arrive and the vehicle was checked on the Police National Computer. The registration that the vehicle was displaying was not linked to any vehicle.

"However, from checking the chassis number, it was discovered that the vehicle had been stolen on Monday 22 November 2021 in Tyldesley without the keys.

"Further PNC checks showed Towler was also a disqualified driver.

"Towler drove at excessive speed through narrow streets and his reckless actions could easily have resulted in a serious collision.

"Thankfully, officers acted swiftly and professionally to arrest him and due to their brave actions and quick thinking he is now behind bars."