Driver in failed 140mph attempt to outrun police in stolen Volkswagen Golf
He was weaving down the motorway
Charlotte Regen
Dan MartinAgenda Editor
A driver clocked 140mph in a stolen Volkswagen Golf in a failed attempt to escape pursuing police.
Roman John Francis desperately tried to shake off officers by weaving in and out of lanes but found himself boxed in by patrol cars.
The 34-year-old, of Mere Road, Bitteswell, near Lutterworth, has now been given a 28-month prison sentence and banned from driving for six years and two months after appearing in court this week.
Francis was stopped after taking the white Golf from a storage yard in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, without the owner's permission some time between January 9 and 10.
Just after 6am on Sunday, January 10, the Golf was spotted by a marked police car on the M40 at Junction 15 in Warwickshire and officers began to chase it.
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As the Golf rejoined the M40 northbound, Francis failed to stop again for officers and fled, reaching speeds of more than 140 mph in foggy conditions.
Francis was followed into the West Mercia Police area where it was chased and contained.
He provided a roadside breath specimen and blew 73micrograms. The legal limit is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.
He was jailed for 16 months, at Warwick Crown Court, for dangerous driving, three months for drink-driving, three months for driving while disqualified and six months for aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving - resulting in a 28-month prison sentence.
He was also ordered to pay a £190 victim surcharge and was banned from driving for five years, with an extension of 14 months to six years and two months, and will be required to take an extended driving test if he wants to drive again.
After the hearing, Sgt Tim Ivers said "The actions of Francis not only put his own life in danger but the lives of innocent road users.
"Fortunately no one was injured, however, the sentence reflects the seriousness of the offences and the potential serious harm that could have been caused."
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