Driver banned from road after 130mph police pursuit

A man has been banned from driving for 18 months after travelling at more than 130mph during a police pursuit.

Mason Sapsford-Howard was driving a red Ford Fiesta on the A11 near Thetford, Norfolk, in March, when officers saw him "dangerously" force his way past a coach on a roundabout and a police pursuit ensued.

The 20-year-old of Bunwell Road, Attleborough, pleaded guilty for failing to stop and indicated guilty for driving a motor vehicle dangerously.

At Norwich Magistrates' Court on Wednesday he was disqualified from driving for 18 months, ordered to pay £429 and told to complete a rehabilitation activity requirement and 250 hours of unpaid work.

Norfolk Police said an officer illuminated his lights and sirens to signal to Sapsford-Howard to stop at about 21:25 GMT on 11 March, but he failed to do so and engaged in a high-speed pursuit reaching speeds of 139mph.

During the pursuit, Sapsford-Howard turned his lights on and off to make himself less visible.

When he had left the main road and entered East Harling, Norfolk, his manner of driving was deemed to be "extremely dangerous" and the pursuit was ended as it was unable to continue safely, the force said.

After Sapsford-Howard was identified as the driver, he was arrested on 19 March on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop.

He initially denied the offences and said he had been at the gym with a friend and having dinner, but he was shown evidence from his phone that tracked his route and footage of his vehicle in Thetford.

PC Richard Roe, the investigating officer, said: "Sapsford-Howard's actions that night were incredibly dangerous and could very easily have resulted in serious injury or loss of life.

"Driving at speeds approaching 140mph, ignoring police signals to stop, and deliberately making himself less visible shows a complete disregard for other road users."

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