Basildon: Driver jailed within 24 hours after 115mph pursuit
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An unqualified driver driving dangerously in a stolen car is jailed within 24 hours of arrest, thanks to the quick response of our Road Crime Team.
As part of our commitment to tackling criminal use of roads in Essex, our Road Crime Team were targeting patrols in the south of the county, focussing on stolen vehicles.
Just before noon on Wednesday 13 November, eagle-eyed officers spotted a Ford Fiesta displaying cloned plates in South Mayne, Basildon.
Instead of stopping for officers, the driver, later identified as Liam Martin, sped off.
Undeterred, officers pursued the car along the A13 and saw at first-hand how Martin drove dangerously through red lights, undertaking vehicles, narrowly avoiding two separate collisions, whilst reaching speeds of up to 115mph.
Martin left the A13 at the Manorway junction at Grays only to rejoin A13, this time travelling in the wrong direction on the southbound carriageway before entering a garage where he abandoned the car.
Officers followed him on foot and arrested him in a nearby field with the help of colleagues.
Liam Martin of Felmores, Basildon, was arrested and remanded into custody to appear at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates' Court the following day – 14 November.
The 23-year-old was jailed for a total of 26 weeks after he admitted handling stolen goods (the car) and dangerous driving.
Martin was also disqualified for 48 months as he was only a provisional licence holder and the disqualification will remain in place until an extended test pass.
No separate penalty was given for no licence and no insurance.
'Putting innocent road users at risk'
Police Constable Paul Simmons said:
“We will continue our work to identify and arrest anyone who’s involved in car theft.
“The court have seen fit to jail Liam Martin for his dangerous driving, putting innocent road users at risk through his reckless decision.
“The offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified.”
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