A man involved in a high-speed police chase in Southport crashed his girlfriend’s car into a historic bandstand and a lake, causing extensive damage. The reckless driver, identified as Harry Mason, 30, led officers on a pursuit reaching speeds of 90mph before the car collided with the Grade II-listed shelter, resulting in £90,000 worth of destruction.
Police encountered the silver Mercedes being driven erratically at 3.45am on February 1, with the driver initially failing to stop when signaled by law enforcement. The pursuit escalated as Mason raced through the town, eventually crashing into the bus shelter and subsequently into the lake.
According to reports from the Liverpool ECHO, during the court proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, prosecutor Hannah Darling detailed the dangerous driving behavior exhibited by Mason. The vehicle was observed exceeding speed limits and showing no signs of slowing down, leading to the catastrophic crash.
Following the incident, images of the submerged car circulated on social media, prompting Mason’s girlfriend to contact Merseyside Police upon recognizing her vehicle. Initially, Mason claimed the car had been stolen but later confessed to the authorities after his girlfriend disputed his account, admitting to dangerous driving and obstruction of justice.
The damage caused to the historic bandstand was estimated to be around £90,000, as stated by Alan Lake, a project manager at Sefton Council. The council lamented the impact on resources and the community, emphasizing the loss to Southport’s architectural heritage.
In court, Mason, who had no prior criminal record, received a suspended 14-month prison sentence, coupled with rehabilitation days, a curfew, and a driving ban. The judge warned that the local council might seek compensation for the shelter’s repair costs from the defendant, emphasizing the significance of the damage caused by his actions.