Essex mum led police on drug-fuelled car chase, court hears

Charlotte Wallbank was driving a Volkswagen Sharan in October last year when police cameras identified her car as being uninsured.

Officers then activated blue lights and signalled for Wallbank to pull over, but instead of handing herself in, she accelerated and tried to get away from the officers.

Signal - police signalled for the defendant pulled over, but she refused to do so (Image: Newquest)

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday how Wallbank, 33, led police through a housing estate in Bicknacre before crashing into a garden fence.

After getting out of the car, Wallbank tried to outrun officers before she was detained and required to give a breath test.

A reading found she had cocaine in her system and Wallbank, of Lilian Road, Burnham was arrested.

She admitted failing to stop a vehicle when required by police, using a vehicle without insurance, and driving a vehicle with a proportion of a controlled drug above the limit.

Seth Collins, mitigating, told magistrates Wallbank ‘panicked’ when she saw the police car behind her.

He continued: “She was involved in a very complicated domestic situation.

“In relation to the drug driving, it is the only matter which is punishable by more than a financial penalty.

“It is a relatively low reading of cocaine – she confirmed she had taken it the previous day.

“She was a drug addict at the time and effectively homeless whilst she was living out of her vehicle.”

Magistrates were told how Wallbank is recovering from her heroin addiction and is seeing her three children under supervision.

Mr Collins continued: “This is all very positive progress for her since this offence took place – she has been clean of drugs for the last five months.”

Test - a breath test showed Wallbank had cocaine in her system (Image: Newsquest)

Chair of the Bench Paul Jee ordered for a pre-sentence report to be prepared before Wallbank is sentenced.

He said: “We will adjourn this case and grant you unconditional bail.

“If you commit another offence whilst on bail, your sentence will be greater.”

Wallbank will be sentenced before magistrates on Monday, September 2.

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