A MAN who left two women seriously injured after crashing a car during a police chase ripped his shirt off and threatened court security staff when he learned he was not being sentenced.

Nathan Lee Elsworth, 22, of Branch Street, Stacksteads, appeared before Judge Jonathan Gibson at Burnley Crown Court where he was due to be sentenced on two charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, unlawful taking of a Mercedes, failing to stop after an accident, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

The court heard the charges related to a crash in Stacksteads on July 1 where two female passengers, Jemma Tatton, 26, and Gemma Dyson, 34, suffered life-changing injuries after being left trapped in the Mercedes. Elsworth ran off and was later arrested by police.

Prosecutors at an earlier hearing said Ms Tatton suffered a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, a fractured pelvis, her left leg was broken in two places and she had fractured vertebrae.

Gemma Dyson, 34, the defendant’s former girlfriend, suffered a fracture to a bone in her neck and two broken ribs. Her left foot was broken and the skin stripped off it.

Elsworth was due to be sentenced at the crown court on August 4 but that was adjourned to obtain medical reports on the life-changing injuries caused to Ms Dyson.

Defending, Richard Bennet objected to the adjournment and said his client was aware he was facing a ‘lengthy custodial sentence’ and was keen to have the matter resolved.

Judge Gibson said: “I am not unsympathetic to the defendant’s point of view and I am aware everyone involved would like to see him sentenced as soon as possible. One of the problems I face is this is a sentence which is based on the severity, or otherwise, of the injuries caused. Without proper medical evidence I may not impose a proper sentence. That may not be to the defendant’s benefit at all.”

After learning he wasn’t going to be sentenced for another four weeks, Elsworth shouted from the dock: “I am not spending four weeks downstairs. I want sentencing today.

“Move them handcuffs away from me. I want sentencing today. You have all the evidence there.

“I’ll have all of you. Don’t touch me.

“You have got enough evidence. I am not bothered. Tell the judge to give me the maximum sentence he can give me.

“I want to get on with my life. They don’t understand what they are doing to me head.”

There were two G4S officers in the dock but after Elsworth removed his shirt and became more agitated that number doubled.

Elsworth did eventually go down to the cells of his own accord after being calmed down by a family member who had been sitting in the public gallery Judge Gibson, who told security to take Elsworth back to the cells when he first started to become disruptive, added: “I won’t hold against the defendant what happened. But I won’t have behaviour such as that.”

The case was sent to Preston Crown Court where Elsworth will be sentenced on November 8. He was remanded in custody.