Driver who sparked terror attack fears in Blackpool is jailed for five years
Jake Hartley injured 3 people as his car ploughed in to a crowd outside a nightclub in Talbot Square
Last updated 16th May 2018
A man, who drove a car at a group of people outside a nightclub in Blackpool, has been jailed for five years.
Jake Hartley injured 3 people and caused panic in Talbot Square last month, as clubs and bars went into lockdown over fears it was a terror attack.
Armed officers were deployed and arrested the 19 year old, who was drunk and had been driving without a licence.
One woman, in her 80s, suffered a broken collarbone, another in her 70s suffered a sprained ankle and cuts and bruises to her legs, and a woman in her 30s suffered a broken tooth, a swollen jaw and bruises to her legs.
Officers were called to the Talbot Square area of Blackpool at 11.50pm on Saturday April 14th following reports a grey Skoda estate had driven at speed colliding with a number of pedestrians.
The vehicle was not displaying registration plates. It was recovered a short time later outside the Norbreck Castle Hotel.
Hartley pleaded guilty to a number of charges including: dangerous driving, possession of a firearm and knuckle duster, excess alcohol, and assault.
PC Chris Hammond, of Lancashire Constabulary’s West Division, said: “Hartley’s driving after he was ejected from the Home and HQ Club was truly shocking and it is only a matter of luck that no-one was seriously injured or killed.
“Innocent members of the public, who wanted nothing more than to enjoy a night out in Blackpool, were held inside bars and clubs for their own safety while we tracked down and arrested Hartley.
“This was a terrifying incident for everyone involved and our thoughts remain with the three women who were injured.