Police chase mum had two children in her car

A MOTHER-of-three led police on a dangerous car chase through Filton with two of her children in the car.

Emma Pocock was already disqualified from driving, Bristol Crown Court heard yesterday.

But she ignored her latest ban and took the children – the youngest of whom was just seven years old – to her grandmother's home to get money. When police tried to stop her, she sped off through a built-up area and jumped a red traffic light, despite her children telling her to stop.

Pocock, of Grove Leaze, Shirehampton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving while disqualified. The court heard it was her third conviction for driving while disqualified in a year.

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But the 31-year-old was spared prison by Judge Michael Roach.

He instead gave her a ten-month suspended sentence after he was told jailing her would leave the children without either parent, as their father was already in prison.

He told her: "You ought to go to prison.What saves you is your guilty plea.

"If I put you in prison, with the father in prison, those children will be cared for by elderly relatives at best, or by the state at worst."

Pocock was told to observe a four-month curfew confining her to her home from 8pm to 7am. She was banned from driving for three years and ordered to take an extended driving test.

The judge, who also confiscated Pocock's car, added: "If you push me, I'll push you through that door."

Simon Goodman, prosecuting, said police in a marked car spotted Pocock driving in Monks Park Avenue last month and switched on their blue lights to try to pull her over at the junction with Filton Road.

Mr Goodman said: "She turned left but didn't stop. She accelerated to 35mph and turned right into St Gregory's Road, without slowing.

"She took the mini roundabout, without slowing, and carried on through the housing estate.

"She turned right into Dudley Grove and the police followed her at 35 to 40mph."

Mr Goodman said that, with police sirens blaring, the pursuit continued along Montreal Avenue and Hazel Grove before Pocock drove via Toronto Road towards Filton Avenue, at 45mph in the 30mph zone.

Mr Goodman said when Pocock came upon five cars sat at a red traffic light she swerved around them and sped through. The court heard that, after reaching 50mph, Pocock undid her seatbelt, braked heavily and stopped, throwing away her keys.

Pocock told police her partner was in prison and she was banned but she needed to take her children to her grandmother's and panicked when she saw officers.

She said she did not know the traffic light was on red, but conceded overtaking the five stationary cars was "a bit dangerous".

Farah Rashid, defending, said: "She is utterly ashamed of her actions."