Jailed biker’s 130mph chase
Metal was showing on defective tyre
A MOTORCYCLIST drove away from police at speeds of up to 130mph on a bike with a tyre so defective the metal was showing through it.
Matthew Johnson had slowed down after being approached by police at a petrol station on the A48 in February but as an officer approached he sped off in the direction of Cross Hands.
The officer immediately gave chase with lights and sirens and Johnson slowed down as he approached Pont Abraham services but was still travelling at speeds of around 100mph.
Swansea Crown Court was told the pursuit continued for around five miles during which the officer observed the motorcycle’s rear wheel moving from side to side and Johnson struggling to maintain control.
Prosecutor Georgina Buckley told the court 31-year-old Johnson once again reached speeds of 130mph and was observed moving between lanes at which stage the officer considered the pursuit too dangerous to continue.
However a check of the bike’s licence plate revealed Johnson’s home address in Ynyswen, Felinfoel, Llanelli, and also that the bike was being driven without insurance.
Ms Buckley said officers went to the address and spotted Johnson exiting a taxi. She said: “Officers questioned his account after he said the bike had been stolen last year and admitted he sped off because he did not want to admit to his girlfriend he had been driving without a licence.
“He knew he did not have insurance and his tyre was defective. The rear wheel was not only illegal but at imminent risk of failure.” Johnson then directed officers to the bike at an address in nearby Glasfryn.
The court was told Johnson had had his driving licence revoked in January due to concerns over his drug use.
He admitted charges of dangerous driving, driving without insurance or a licence, and having insufficient tread on a tyre.
Mitigating, David Singh said: “He drove at grossly excessive speeds for some distance and realises he put himself and other road users at significant risk and it is exacerbated by the state of his tyre.
“It may well be the case that he panicked but that does not justify or excuse his behaviour which he now recognises.
“Perhaps fortuitously there was no accident in this case. He co-operated with police although he first offered a ridiculous explanation.
“The main point of mitigation is he had the good sense to plead guilty at the first opportunity.”
He added Johnson had faced a number of difficulties stemming from his childhood, had lost his job and had mental health issues, and had warned his children he might not be returning from court following his appearance.
Judge Paul Thomas QC told the defendant: “In February this year when police tried to speak to you because of your driving you decided to get away by driving your motorcycle in speeds of excess of 130mph.
“That driving put not just yourself in great danger of death or serious injury but far more importantly it put anyone else on the road – driving, as a passenger, or pedestrian, including children – at great risk.
“There was no accident in the event but that was down to good fortune rather than any action on your part.
“You were not in control of your motorcycle. The back wheel was veering more and more because you had a grossly defective back tyre to the extent metal was showing through it. It could have been catastrophic.
“When you were arrested you were cooperative but you accept you had changed your clothes and told police the bike had been stolen. In addition, you were not insured and it is significant your licence was taken off you due to your drug use.
“Your pre-sentence report recognises your problems but your driving on this occasion was so appalling my public duty compels me to pass a custodial sentence.
“This driving was so bad the message has to be sent to others that anyone driving like this has to expect a period in custody.”
Johnson was handed an 18-week jail term and was also disqualified from driving for three years.
He must take an extended driving test on completion of the ban.