Car driven wrong way up A23 (From The Argus)

Car driven wrong way up A23

2:50pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News By Emily Walker, Chief Reporter

A teenager has been accused of driving a stolen convertible four miles down the wrong way of a dual carriageway before crashing it.

Terrified drivers reported seeing the black Peugeot 206 travelling the wrong way down the A23 between Pyecombe and Brighton at about 6am on Saturday.

Police spotted the car heading into the Pyecombe service station, before turning on to the slip road on the northbound carriageway.

The car was later found crashed in Ringmer Road, Moulsecoomb, and Lee Wright, 19, of Moulsecoomb Way, was arrested and later charged on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop after a collision, failing to provide a specimen of breath and driving without insurance.

Wright yesterday appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.

Jim Federick prosecuting told the court that the Peugeot was reported stolen at just before 6am.

He said: “One officer located the car and followed it.

“At Pyecombe it indicated it was going into the service station, but went straight through and onto the road under the A23, then went onto the slip road on the north-bound carriageway travelling south-bound.

“Due to the time of the morning there wasn’t a huge volume of traffic, but the police have spoken to witnesses who were driving along and suddenly confronted with headlights.

“Officers were so concerned they couldn’t give pursuit due to the dangers.

“When the car got to Brighton, police officers were waiting.

“The car appeared to be stopping then carried on driving.

“Police lost track of it shortly, then it was found crashed in Ringmer Road.

“The defendant was found nearby.”

Magistrates ruled the case should be heard at the crown court.

Wright did not enter pleas to the charges and was remanded in custody until March 28 for a committal hearing.