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Jail for 180mph M6 chase driver Ben Westwood | Jail for 180mph M6 chase driver Ben Westwood |
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A man caught doing 180mph in a police chase on the M6 in the West Midlands has been jailed for nine years. | A man caught doing 180mph in a police chase on the M6 in the West Midlands has been jailed for nine years. |
Ben Westwood, of Woden Road, Wednesfield, was found guilty of dangerous driving and conspiracy to burgle and steal earlier this month. | Ben Westwood, of Woden Road, Wednesfield, was found guilty of dangerous driving and conspiracy to burgle and steal earlier this month. |
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how during the 65-mile chase in January Westwood, 33, almost outpaced the police helicopter, in a stolen car. | Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how during the 65-mile chase in January Westwood, 33, almost outpaced the police helicopter, in a stolen car. |
Westwood is thought to be the fastest driver to be caught in the UK. | Westwood is thought to be the fastest driver to be caught in the UK. |
He was also banned from driving for four years. | He was also banned from driving for four years. |
The court heard how the modified Audi RS5, worth £85,000, was stolen from Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, in August 2011. | The court heard how the modified Audi RS5, worth £85,000, was stolen from Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, in August 2011. |
Police said the car was then linked to 16 raids across Staffordshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands, including incidents at a bowling alley and a jewellers. | Police said the car was then linked to 16 raids across Staffordshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands, including incidents at a bowling alley and a jewellers. |
The raids took place between August 2011 and January 2012, during the course of which the car, originally white, was sprayed silver and then black. | The raids took place between August 2011 and January 2012, during the course of which the car, originally white, was sprayed silver and then black. |
Four other men were also sentenced for their part in the thefts: | Four other men were also sentenced for their part in the thefts: |
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The chase, in the early hours of 13 January, took place after a raid on the Murco petrol station in Warstones Road, Wolverhampton. | The chase, in the early hours of 13 January, took place after a raid on the Murco petrol station in Warstones Road, Wolverhampton. |
Police arrested Sharma, Green and Watkins, who were in a separate van, but Westwood and Simpson headed towards the M6, chased by a police car. | Police arrested Sharma, Green and Watkins, who were in a separate van, but Westwood and Simpson headed towards the M6, chased by a police car. |
Sparks seen | Sparks seen |
He joined the motorway, where he headed north up to junction 13 at Stafford before turning around and then heading southbound again. | He joined the motorway, where he headed north up to junction 13 at Stafford before turning around and then heading southbound again. |
In footage recorded from the police helicopter, sparks were seen coming from underneath the car. | In footage recorded from the police helicopter, sparks were seen coming from underneath the car. |
The footage from the helicopter shows how Westwood tried to avoid a sting trap set down by police on the sliproad at junction 12. | The footage from the helicopter shows how Westwood tried to avoid a sting trap set down by police on the sliproad at junction 12. |
He can then be seen doing a U-turn, driving the car the wrong way up the sliproad before joining the main carriageway again. | He can then be seen doing a U-turn, driving the car the wrong way up the sliproad before joining the main carriageway again. |
Westwood abandoned the car at a block of flats in Pickering Road, Wednesfield, where police dogs tracked him and Simpson into some flats and arrested them. | Westwood abandoned the car at a block of flats in Pickering Road, Wednesfield, where police dogs tracked him and Simpson into some flats and arrested them. |
On sentencing Westwood, Recorder Nigel Baker said he had an "appalling record for a man of 33". | On sentencing Westwood, Recorder Nigel Baker said he had an "appalling record for a man of 33". |
He added: "You are no stranger to burglaries of this type." | He added: "You are no stranger to burglaries of this type." |
The judge added: "This was an atrocious piece of dangerous driving. You drove through the suburban streets of Wolverhampton at speeds [with] which the police car could not keep up. | |
"You were driving on the wrong side of the road. There was a moment in that pursuit when the helicopter thought that your intention was to out-run the helicopter. | "You were driving on the wrong side of the road. There was a moment in that pursuit when the helicopter thought that your intention was to out-run the helicopter. |
"It was the most appalling piece of driving." | "It was the most appalling piece of driving." |
Supt Richard Baker said Westwood had shown "a blatant disregard for other road users". | Supt Richard Baker said Westwood had shown "a blatant disregard for other road users". |
He added: "Video footage from the helicopter estimates speeds of up to 180mph on the M6 as he attempted to evade capture." | He added: "Video footage from the helicopter estimates speeds of up to 180mph on the M6 as he attempted to evade capture." |