Drink driver jailed after man injured in Rochdale pursuit
A court heard Cameron Gainger spent almost three hours drinking alcohol in bars before getting behind the wheel.
Last updated 7th Nov 2026
A man who led police on a high-speed pursuit through Rochdale after getting behind the wheel following an evening of drinking, has been jailed for four years and five months.
Cameron Grainger, 25, was found guilty at Manchester Crown Court of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has also been disqualified from diving for six years and two months.
The court heard how at around 1am on Sunday 19 November 2023, Grainger parked his Seat Leon in Upper Broadfield Car Park in Rochdale town centre, before spending almost three hours in bars and pubs in the area with three friends.
CCTV footage showed Grainger consuming several alcoholic drinks before returning to his vehicle at around 3.25am.
Concerned by his behaviour as he approached the car, CCTV operators alerted police that a man who appeared intoxicated was preparing to get behind the wheel and drive away. Officers were provided with a description of the vehicle, its registration number and location it was leaving from.
When officers attempted to stop the Seat Leon as it left the town centre, Grainger failed to stop and a short pursuit commenced.
During which, Grainger continued to drive at speed along Rochdale Road. CCTV footage showed him driving on the wrong side of the road throughout the sequence of events.
The pursuit ended when a now 41-year-old man was struck by the police car as the officers inside the vehicle tried to bring Grainger to a stop.
The victim suffered serious injuries and officers immediately stopped to provide first aid at the scene.
Despite this, Grainger continued to flee, driving dangerously at excessive speeds before abandoning the Seat Leon on Wellington Street. CCTV later captured Grainger and the three passengers who were in the vehicle at the time, running from it as they tried desperately to avoid being arrested.
Grainger was arrested the following day, on 20 November 2023, and answered no comment during his police interview. Investigators also established that he was not insured to drive the vehicle.
Astonishingly despite an interim disqualification being imposed on Wednesday 30 September 2026, Grainger was involved in another police pursuit in Rochdale on Monday 26 October 2026, once again driving dangerously with complete disregard for the safety of the public.
One of Grainger’s passengers, Teagan Clements, 23, later provided a false statement to police during the investigation and was subsequently charged with making a false statement tendered in evidence. She was handed a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and 80 hours of unpaid work.
There was also an order for destruction of the Seat Leon that Grainger was driving during the original drink driving pursuit from 2023.
Detective Sergeant Louise Warhurst from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “Cameron Grainger made the conscious decision to get behind the wheel after spending several hours drinking alcohol and, when officers attempted to stop him, chose instead to drive at speed and in a manner that showed a complete disregard for the safety of others.
"His actions that morning set in motion a chain of events with devastating consequences. Nearly three years on, our thoughts remain with the injured man, who was the unfortunate casualty of Grainger's reckless behaviour. The serious injuries he suffered have had a lasting impact and have fundamentally changed his life.
"Despite this, Grainger continued to flee, placing even more members of the public at risk. The evidence gathered throughout the investigation clearly demonstrated the dangerous manner in which he was driving and the extent of the risks he posed.
"This case serves as a stark reminder of the potentially life-changing consequences of drink-driving. Choosing to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcohol can have devastating outcomes for innocent people, their families and the wider community.”
PC Sam Lockley received a two-year suspended sentence and 15 days community service. He has also been disqualified from driving for two years and will have to sit an extended driving test upon the completion of the disqualification.