POLICE who had taken part in a high speed pursuit were shocked to see the driver running from his abandoned car carrying his six-month-old baby in a car seat.
Blackburn magistrates heard John Wesley Fenton had initially stopped when requested but sped off as a police officer approached his car.
During the rush hour chase that followed Fenton drove the wrong way around a roundabout before driving towards Blackburn Hospital.
“He was weaving in and out of the heavy traffic while being pursued,” said Miss Allan.
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“He did an illegal U-turn which resulted in him mounting the pavement putting pedestrians in danger.”
Miss Allan said the chasing officers lost Fenton but shortly after saw his Vauxhall Astra on a car park in Shadsworth Road. “He was running away from the car carrying something,” said Miss Allan.
“That something turned out to be his six month old daughter in a car seat.” Miss Allan said police had initially wanted to speak to Fenton because they saw him using his mobile phone while driving.
Fenton, 28, of Hastings Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, using a hand held phone while driving and driving without insurance.
He was sent on bail to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.
Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said his client accepted that the Crown Court was the appropriate venue for sentencing.
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