A CHEF from Crumlin who sparked a police chase while his eight-month old daughter was in the back seat of his BMW has been handed a suspended sentence.
Barry McGovern, from Canning Grove, admitted four driving offences arising from an incident on roads in south Belfast last October. He was handed an 18-month sentence, suspended for three years, banned from driving for two years and fined £1,800.
Belfast Crown Court heard that around 4.25pm on October 3, 2018, police tried to stop a BMW driven by McGovern (30) in the Holylands area of Belfast. Smoke was coming from the exhaust and as police approached the vehicle, McGovern was on his phone but ended the call.
He then said "how are you doing, officer?" before speeding away. A police chase ensued, during which McGovern, already a banned driver, drove dangerously on several roads in built-up areas.
This included jumping red lights when pedestrians were using the crossing, a near collision with a police vehicle, speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road.
He was eventually boxed in, and when officers approached the car and took possession of the car keys, they noticed the baby girl in the back seat.
McGovern was arrested, and admitted several offences including dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified.
Judge Paul Ramsey was told by Crown barrister Philip Henry that McGovern's criminal record included 40 previous motoring offences.
Judge Ramsey said cGovern's criminal record "makes for depressing reading" but he was prepared to give him "one last chance".
