Driver raced at 120mph on M4 with his pregnant partner in car

A DRIVER raced along the M4 motorway, tailgating other motorists at high speeds and “bullying” them out of the way while his son and pregnant partner were in the car

Michael Smith’s dangerous behaviour continued for around 11 miles as he reached speeds of 120mph – but unknown to him, he was being closely watched by a police officer in an unmarked car.

The officer finally pulled over the defendant as he raced through the 50mph stretch of the road through Port Talbot at 80mph.

A judge told Smith he had not only put his own safety at risk but that of his pregnant partner and young son, as well as that of the other road users he encountered.

Hannah George, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that the incident happened in the early evening of December 28 last year when a South Wales Police roads policing officer travelling on the M4 near Bridgend saw a BMW travelling westward at a “significant” speed.

The court heard the officer had been tailing another vehicle but such was the BMW’s speed he decided to follow it instead.

The prosecutor said that as the officer followed Smith the defendant’s speed “rarely dropped below 100mph” and hit a high of 120mph. The defendant was seen driving “exceptionally close” to cars in front of him at high speed, and “weaving” back and forth in the lane and “bullying” other drivers to get out of his way.

The high-speed driving continued when Smith reached Port Talbot, and he raced along the 50mph zone through the town at 80mph.

It was at this stage that the following officer activated the blue lights on his car and pulled the defendant over.

The court heard that Smith’s pregnant partner was also in the BMW, and in the back of the car was his son.

Smith, 33, of Cross Inn, Ceredigion, had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and to driving at a speed in excess of the motorway limit when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

At the time of the incident he had eight points on his licence for speeding offences on motorways.

Recorder Carl Harrison told Smith he was guilty of “disgraceful” dangerous driving involving high speeds, tailgating and “bullying” other motorists.

With a one-third discount for his guilty pleas, Smith was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation course.

He was banned from driving for three years, and must pass an extended test before he can get his licence back.

Smith must pay £425 in prosecution costs.