A man involved in a car crash into a lake initially claimed the car had been stolen, but it was later revealed that he was the driver.
Harry Mason, 30, engaged in reckless driving, leading the police on a high-speed chase in Southport, reaching speeds of up to 90mph. The pursuit ended with Mason crashing the car into a historic bandstand and then into a lake, causing significant damage to the bus shelter, estimated at £90,000. The incident unfolded at 3:45 am on February 1 when a police officer observed a silver Mercedes repeatedly hitting the curb and signaled for it to stop. Instead of complying, Mason accelerated, fleeing from the officer.
Footage from the police dashcam showed the Mercedes speeding away on Albany Road, eventually crashing into the bus shelter and submerging in the lake at Marine Lake.
According to the Liverpool ECHO, during the court hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, prosecutor Hannah Darling stated that Mason’s driving on Roe Lane indicated excessive speed, with the vehicle even becoming airborne over a hill. The pursuit continued onto Manchester Road and Alexandra Road without any signs of slowing down.
Images of the submerged car circulated on social media platforms, prompting Mason’s girlfriend to contact the authorities after recognizing her car.
Following initial claims that the car had been stolen, Mason later admitted to being the driver after his girlfriend challenged his story. He confessed to the police and pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice.
Alan Lake, a project manager at Sefton Council, expressed dismay over the damage to the historic bandstand, estimating repair costs at £90,000. The council’s resources will be strained due to the incident, diverting attention from other priorities.
Defending Mason, Damian Nolan highlighted the defendant’s personal challenges at the time of the incident, citing concerns over job loss and family issues. Despite having no prior criminal record, Mason faced consequences for his actions, receiving a suspended prison sentence and other penalties.
Judge Denis Watson warned Mason about potential future claims for compensation from Sefton Council related to the shelter’s repair costs.
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