Drink-driver banned following 110mph police chase

A drink-driver who reached speeds of 110mph during a police chase on a Fens road has been disqualified from driving.

Simon Doherty, 22, of Long Green, Cressing, Essex, was spotted by an off-duty officer speeding on the A141 towards Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, at about 23:55 BST on 15 October, 2021.

He overtook a tractor and lorries and drove the wrong way round roundabouts with no lights on, and he stopped only when he crashed into a ditch and tried to run away, Cambridgeshire Police said.

Doherty pleaded guilty at Huntingdon Law Courts to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving without a valid licence.

He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and was told to undertake a thinking skills programme and 220 hours of unpaid work.

He was disqualified from driving for 18 months and will need to pass an extended test before he can have his licence back.

The force said that during the pursuit, he turned off the lights of his black Volvo XC90 and drove on the wrong side of the road at more than 100mph in a 60mph zone.

Oncoming drivers had to swerve to get out of his way.

A breath test at the scene showed he was twice the legal drink-drive limit.

PC Shelley Cannon said: "This type of reckless driving endangers lives but thankfully no members of the public were hurt.

"Drivers were, however, confronted with the terrifying sight of a vehicle on the wrong side of the road at night with no lights, and had to take evasive action to prevent a collision."

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