• Contact us
  • About us
  • Digital edition
  • Online archive
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

    Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

    Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

    Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

    £15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

    £15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

    Changes to business rates

    Changes to business rates

    Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

    Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

    Nursing award for Penrith’s Fay Dudson

    Nursing award for Penrith’s Fay Dudson

  • Sport
    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club win league title

    Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club win league title

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

    Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

    Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

    Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

    £15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

    £15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

    Changes to business rates

    Changes to business rates

    Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

    Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

    Nursing award for Penrith’s Fay Dudson

    Nursing award for Penrith’s Fay Dudson

  • Sport
    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club win league title

    Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club win league title

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Driver almost hit people and horse during Appleby Horse Fair police chase

by CWH
30 October 2023
in Latest, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Joseph Balfe

A disqualified driver who narrowly missed pedestrians and a horse as he mounted a pavement while fleeing from police through crowded streets during Appleby Horse Fair has been jailed.

Joseph Balfe, 24, was high on cannabis and had been released from prison only weeks before he headed north to the town with his partner for the famous traditional annual Gypsy and Traveller gathering.

Police officers were in a marked patrol vehicle carrying out static observations on day two of this year’s fair, on Friday, June 9, close to packed streets. They saw a Volkswagen Golf which, checks showed, was not covered by insurance.

“The vehicle was followed,” prosecutor Isabella Denn-White told Carlisle Crown Court. “An officer activated the blue lights and indicated for the vehicle to stop.

“The defendant (Balfe), who was the driver, hesitated and drove on to the nearside. He drove on to a pavement, undertaking vehicles in front, narrowly missing a horse-drawn trap and pedestrians. He proceeded to drive towards the centre of Appleby.”

Balfe headed on to Bridge Street, where he ran from the vehicle but was detained.

At the time, he was banned from getting behind the wheel following a previous danger driving offence, committed during 2020, for which he was jailed in August last year.

Following the Appleby incident, Balfe admitted dangerous driving, drug-driving, disqualified driving, no insurance and cannabis possession. A grinder and personal use amount of the drug had been found in the Golf when it was searched by police.

Defence barrister Peter Gilmour said Balfe had quickly confessed to his criminality, saying: “He never made any bones about it. He admitted it all straightaway in interview. He described his own behaviour as stupid.”

The dangerous driving lasted around a minute or so before he stopped his vehicle close to the busy town centre. “He didn’t want to cause anyone any injuries. He got out of his car and ran away. No damage or injury was caused,” said Mr Gilmour.

Judge Michael Fanning imposed an immediate 10-month prison sentence for offending he called sheer idiocy.

“Perhaps, given your offending, you didn’t think through what you were doing. That’s little comfort to those whose lives you put at risk,” said the judge. “It is just good luck that nobody has been hurt here.”

Balfe, of Hazel Avenue, Bury, must serve a three-year driving ban when released from prison, and compete an extended test before getting back behind the wheel.

Related Posts

Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth
Latest

Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

30 May 2025
Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith
News

Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

30 May 2025
Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned
Food and Drink

Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

30 May 2025
Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism
Latest

Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

30 May 2025
Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters
Latest

Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

29 May 2025
£15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith
Latest

£15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

26 May 2025
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Most popular

Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

30 May 2025
Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

29 May 2025
Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

30 May 2025
Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

30 May 2025
Sheep showing season begins

Sheep showing season begins

30 May 2025
Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

30 May 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Logo

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: news@cwherald.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • News
  • Sport
  • Farming
  • Property
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Your view

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Photosales
  • Online archive
  • Buy your paper
  • Digital edition
  • North Lakes Living
  • Advertise
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2020

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
IPSO Logo
Review Your Cart
0
Discount
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount
Checkout

 
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • more
    • North Lakes Living
    • Buy Photos
    • Buy your paper
    • About us
    • Contact us

© 2020 Cumberland & Westmorland Herald