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25
Oct
Harrogate man admits dangerous driving after seven-minute police chase
A Harrogate man who led police on a seven-minute chase has admitted dangerous driving.
Oliver Cargill, 36, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (October 23) where he spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
Cargill, of Hookstone Chase, admitted one count of dangerous driving and one count of producing cannabis.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, said police officers were on duty in the early hours of March 12, 2025, when they noticed a ford transit van which had no tax or insurance.
Ms Ibbotson said officers requested for the van to stop, but it did not pull over and instead led police on a chase for seven minutes.
She said:
He was driving round residential areas at excess speed and is seen going through a red traffic light. He pulls over dangerously into a road where another vehicle is coming.
The court heard that Cargill drove dangerously on Forest Lane, Sherwood Drive, Hookstone Chase and the A661 in Harrogate.
Ms Ibbotson said the 36-year-old later absconded from the vehicle.
Magistrates were told that police traced the address of the keeper of the car to Cargill’s property, where they found a “small cannabis grow” of around 20 plants.
Ms Ibbotson said the cannabis was for Cargill’s personal use and he admitted both offences to police during interview.
Martin Townend, defending, requested that the case be adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Magistrates adjourned the case for a hearing at Harrogate Magistrates Court on November 20, 2026, where Cargill will appear for sentencing.
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