Driver behind bars for 140mph police chase

‘Extremely fortunate that nobody was injured or killed’ during M4 pursuit

A dangerous driver from Maidenhead who showed ‘a total disregard for other road users’ during a 140mph police chase on the M4 has been jailed, writes Sam Leech.

Muneeb Mehran, of Whurley Way, drove at extreme speeds through temporary roadworks – where the speed limit was 40mph – during the pursuit, with police saying it was ‘extremely fortunate’ nobody was killed or injured.

Wiltshire Police officers spotted a Volkswagen Passat – driven by

Mehran – travelling at speeds of around 130mph on the M4 eastbound junction 15 shortly before midnight on January 19 this year.

The 23-year-old stopped on the motorway hard shoulder after being flagged down by police however, once officers began approaching him to ask for the engine to be turned off, he then drove off.

Police pursued Mehran, who reached speeds of more than 140mph through temporary roadworks and undertook vehicles as the pursuit continued into the Thames Valley.

Wiltshire Police worked with Thames Valley Police officers to use specialist tactics to safely stop the vehicle.

Mehran, who was the only person inside the car, had a revoked licence and no insurance.

He was remanded to court after arrest and remanded in custody until his sentencing on Friday, March 22.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop, possession of cannabis, no insurance and no licence and was jailed for 26 months.

PC Ben Greening from the Roads Policing Unit said: “The speeds at which Mehran was driving were totally unacceptable and showed a total disregard for other road users.

“It is extremely fortunate that nobody was injured or worse, killed, as a result of his reckless behaviour.”

As well as the prison sentence, Mehran was given an 18 month driving disqualification.