A dad-of-two who led police on a 90mph chase through a housing estate was spared jail because of his caring responsibilities, dividing opinion among ECHO readers.
Carl Mello, 33, said he got behind the wheel of his girlfriend's Ford C-Max because he was taking medicine to his mum who suffers from cancer.
The 33-year-old, of Arley Close, Beechwood, Birkenhead, is a convicted killer who once accidentally shot his best friend, causing his death.
He has since been sentenced for drug dealing, domestic violence attacks, a bar brawl and stealing from people's cars and homes.
But he walked free from Liverpool Crown Court yesterday after a judge heard he now looks after his baby, 10-year-old son, partner and mum.
Mello received a 16-month community order with 40 hours of unpaid work and was banned from the road for 18 months.
ECHO readers have called for the justice system to be reviewed after sharing mixed responses to Mello being spared jail this time.
One reader, who refers to themselves as ' the wigan warrior ', said: "It is getting out of order with people walking free from courts we need a review into the justice system."
Others took to Facebook to express their thoughts on Mello being spared jail time.
Barbara A Barry said: "Same excuses trotted out. Not a healthy environment for the poor kids."
Hannah Disney-Taylor said: "Get more for having a grow and dealing weed, the justice system is a joke."
Freda McIntyre said: "This is why our law system needs to be addressed... its a complete joke"
Police spotted Mello driving the Ford on Fender Way in Bidston, Wirral, at around 1pm on December 23 last year.
Stuart Mills, prosecuting, said officers indicated Mello should stop, which he did.
However, when an officer approached the car, it "shot away at high speed".
Mello overtook vehicles on the wrong side of the road, then turned onto Bidston Green Drive and went through a give way junction without slowing, causing another driver to swerve out of the way.
Mr Mills said Mello turned onto St Oswald's Avenue and rejoined Fender Way in a loop.
It was raining and Mello created "heavy spray" as he accelerated to approximately 90mph in the 30mph zone, "overtaking drivers on the opposite carriageway in the face of oncoming vehicles".
Mello crossed a roundabout at Wirral Way without stopping and took a blind turn from Windermere Avenue onto Noctorum Avenue, "narrowly missing a head-on collision".
He mounted the pavement at speed in Needham Crescent, then abandoned the car and fled on foot, ignoring an officer who recognised him and shouted his name and for him to stop.
Mello was chased to Sandalwood Drive, where he ran into a home known to be his girlfriend's, but surrendered when more officers arrived.
He was banned from the road until April 11 this year, but when interviewed claimed he didn't know he was disqualified, which he has since admitted wasn't true.
Mr Mills said: "He said he was driving his partner's vehicle to get medicine for his mother, he was aware police had indicated to him to stop, and doesn't know why he didn't, save for he wanted to get his partner's vehicle back to her.
"He said he thought the police were exaggerating when they said he was doing 90mph."
Mello admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
The judge, Recorder Michael Blakey, said: "Why you took off in this way is beyond belief. I don't know why you did that, you were inevitably going to get caught and inevitably put all these people you have responsibility for in jeopardy.
"Thankfully you did not crash into another motor vehicle, nor did you cause injury to anyone else. Had that been the case, I would have no hesitation but to send you to custody, despite the responsibility you have.
"Notwithstanding your record, you have demonstrated it seems to me you are able to behave yourself and remain crime free."
Recorder Blakey noted Mello had kept out of trouble from 2017 to 2020 and said he would spare him jail, adding: "The major factor is that you have responsibility, and there is no doubt about that."
As well as serving his driving ban, Mello will not be allowed to get behind the wheel of a car again until he takes an extended retest.
