National hunt jockey Charlie Deutsch, 21, was today sentenced to ten months in prison after being found guilty of dangerous driving after leading officers on a 114mph car chase while over the drink drive limit.
Deutsch, who rides for Venetia Williams, had otherwise had a blistering year, riding 55 winners over the jumps and took part in this year’s Grand National on Houblon Des Obeaux. He also won the Grand National Trial at Haydock in the early part of the year on Yala Enki.
Events began on 30th March at Cheltenham. After celebrating the retirement of a fellow jockey at a Cheltenham club, Deutsch made the fateful decision to drive his passengers back home in the early hours of the morning. Sgt Forbes-George spotted the car they were in driving well over the speed limit.
At the scene after being stopped Deutsch panicked and ran back to his car, forcing the officer to break the car window. Not dissuaded from his course of action, Deutsch than sped off, much to the concern of his three passengers. After a 5 mile chase a police road stinger was deployed bringing an end to his efforts to escape.
Reaching speeds of over 110mph during the chase, Deutsch proved to be over the drink driving limit. His lawyer highlighted his good character as an attempt to illustrate how out of character this episode was. “This was an opportunistic escape born out of panic”
“He is a very sensible and promising young man who has done something remarkably stupid. He made it immeasurably worse by his actions. He is remarkably well liked. He has a good reputation and following in the industry.”
Charlie Deutsch was fined, disqualified from driving and sentenced to 10 months in prison. It’s unknown if he’ll be able to continue his career upon release, but he is a gifted individual in the sport of racing. We’d like to hope that the industry and those linked to Deutsch will be able to look beyond an out of character mistake made at such a young age.