A driver who reached speeds of 96mph in the local area after failing to stop for Police has been given a jail term.
Callum James Molloy, 24, from Castle Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on Friday (February 9th) after admitting charges of dangerous driving and driving with no insurance.
He was given a 20-month suspended jail sentence and was disqualified from driving for two years. He must also complete unpaid work and pay court costs.
PC Owen Davies tried to stop a Ford Fiesta being driven by Molloy on the M5 between junctions 23 for Highbridge and Bridgwater North and junction 24, at about 12.25am on Tuesday 5th December.
He was driving at 96mph through the roadworks, even though there was an advisory limit of 40mph in place.
Molloy failed to stop and left the M5 at junction 24, heading into Bridgwater.
During the pursuit, Molloy drove on the wrong side of the road, crossed double white lines, went through red lights on a crossroads at 70mph, mounted and drove across a pavement and reached speeds of 75mph in Taunton Road, where the limit is 30mph.
At one point, an Audi travelling in the opposite direction was forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision as Molloy drove straight towards it.
PC Davies eventually forced Molloy’s vehicle to stop in Puriton Hill.
PC Davies, of the Tri-Force Roads Policing Unit, said: “Callum Molloy had no regard for other road users’ safety that day and drove at extremely dangerous speeds during the pursuit.”
“Towards the end of the incident he was continuing to drive despite the vehicle suffering two blown tyres. His actions could easily have had fatal consequences had he been in collision with another motorist or pedestrian.”
