A man drove at 90mph during a police pursuit, ultimately crashing into a historic bandstand and landing in a lake, a court revealed. Harry Mason, 30, caused significant damage to the Grade II-listed bandstand at Albany Road in Southport, resulting in £90,000 worth of harm to the structure. The incident occurred early on February 1 when a police officer observed Mason’s silver Mercedes hitting the curb before signaling for him to stop.

Instead of complying, Mason accelerated, initiating a high-speed chase towards the Promenade. Prosecutor Hannah Darling detailed the events at Liverpool Crown Court, highlighting the reckless driving behavior. Mason’s vehicle was seen speeding excessively, even becoming airborne at one point, as it evaded the pursuing officer.

The pursuit ended dramatically when Mason crashed into the bandstand and plunged into the Marine Lake. Images of the submerged car circulated on social media, leading to Mason’s girlfriend contacting the authorities after recognizing the vehicle as hers. Subsequently, Mason initially claimed the car had been stolen but later confessed to his actions, admitting guilt to charges of dangerous driving and obstructing justice.

The damage to the bandstand, estimated at £90,000 by Alan Lake of Sefton Council, poses a significant burden on the already strained resources of the council. The impact of the destruction on the historical structure, which has withstood the test of time for over a century, has deeply saddened the local community.

Mason, a first-time offender, received a suspended sentence of 14 months, along with a driving ban, rehabilitation days, and a night curfew. Judge Denis Watson indicated the seriousness of the damage caused and warned Mason that he might face further claims for restoration costs from Sefton Council in the future.