Darwen man, who lied about being in Afghan, is jailed after dangerous driving rampage
He led police on a dangerous car chase in Accrington before crashing
Last updated 17th Aug 2023
A Darwen man, who led police on a dangerous driving rampage through Accrington before crashing, has been jailed after trying to tell officers he had served in Afghanistan.
On 4 July 2021 police attempted to stop a Ford Transit van being drive by Dominic Cain in Accrington. He drove off at speed, leading officers on a chase through several junctions without any lights on his vehicle.
He eventually losing control down a dirt road at the end of Miller Fold Avenue and fled with a passenger from the vehicle.
After eventually being caught he was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop for police. When being searched officers found a bag of cocaine, and he failed a roadside breath test.
During interview with a probation officer, Cain said he had served in the army and toured Afghanistan. He alleged that he had PTSD, and said he witnessed a lot of "horrible things".
When probation services carried out checks, it transpired that Cain had joined the army but was discharged. He re-joined again, but was then discharged once more for being deemed to be below the medical standards expected.
He had never served in Afghan, and the only time he went overseas was for training in Cyprus in 2016.
Insp Plummer said: “Cain’s initial behaviour in Accrington in July 2021 was appalling and put the lives of road users and pedestrians at risk. He attempted to escape justice on that night, first by fleeing the van and then failing to provide a sample.
“Having finally admitted what he did he tried to cheat the justice system by shamefully lying about having served in Afghanistan and having PTSD during his pre-sentence report. Those actions brought shame on himself and quite rightly would have offended many war veterans, particularly those who have genuinely been diagnosed with PTSD.”
Cain, 32, of Highfield Mews, Darwen, appeared at Preston Crown Court earlier this month and admitted the further charge of perverting the course of justice. He was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for three and a half years.