Man sentenced for 140mph police chase

A man has been given a suspended sentence after he led police on a car chase, reaching speeds of about 140mph.

Kieran Cook, 24, of Olinthus Avenue, Wolverhampton, appeared before Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice.

He was handed a one year sentence, suspended for two years.

Police were alerted on 23 December 2023 after staff at a McDonald's in Oswestry, Shropshire, suspected that he may have been under the influence of alcohol.

West Mercia Police said when officers responded, they saw a car exceeding 70mph on the A5 in Shrewsbury, driven by Cook.

A chase ensued, where he reached speeds of about 140mph as he drove into Telford.

He later drove towards Wellington, where he reached 80mph in a 30mph zone, and was seen driving on the wrong side of the road near a roundabout and mounting the pavement.

Cook failed to stop and fled.

Police said he denied being the driver, and initially claimed his car had been cloned, and changed the spoiler on the car.

Phone data and CCTV placed him at the McDonalds and in the subsequent car chase.

"Cook’s driving that night was extremely dangerous given the high speeds, heavy rain and large areas of standing water, and his general manner of driving, including driving through red lights," said PC Mark Smith.

"He failed to stop for officers on two occasions and even drove against the flow of traffic towards police vehicles, and counterclockwise on a busy roundabout with no view of oncoming vehicles."

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