A dangerous driver called 'Skidmore' led police on a car chase in which he travelled at 130mph-plus on the M5. And when a police stinger device burst one of his tyres he carried on regardless, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Declan Skidmore, 21, of Coleridge Vale Road South in Clevedon, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving without a proper licence and insurance and failing to stop for police in February. He appeared for sentence today (October 25, 2022).
The Recorder of Bristol His Honour Judge Peter Blair KC handed him a 10-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months. He told Skidmore: "This was a truly terrifying piece of driving. It would have left people speechless in seeing the way you risked other lives and your own. You simply didn't appreciate the consequences to yourself and to others."
READ MORE: Much loved gran died when nurse reversed car into her in Yate
The judge handed Skidmore 120 hours' unpaid work and up to 15 days' rehabilitation. Skidmore was banned from driving for 30 months and ordered to take an extended driving test.
Charlotte Evans, prosecuting, said Skidmore was driving a VW Scirocco on Kenn Road, Clevedon, when he drove into a petrol station. But when police attempted to stop him he pulled away, prompting a nine-minute pursuit spanning 18 miles.
Miss Evans described how Skidmore overtook into oncoming traffic, crossed double white "no overtaking" lines, before heading towards north on the M5 towards Portishead at over 130mph.
Miss Evans said Skidmore changed lanes on the motorway and forced vehicles to take evasive action. He suddenly darted off at Junction 19, took a roundabout at speed before crossing a police stinger device, the court heard.
Though he had a tyre blowout he drove the wrong way around a roundabout before coming to a halt and fleeing. He later voluntarily attended at a police station and admitted driving dangerously without a full driving licence.
Tony Miles, defending, said: "He accepts the driving was awful. He tells me he is ashamed and shocked by his own behaviour."
Mr Miles said Skidmore was in work and provided valuable support to his family. Skidmore's mum told the judge: "He contributes £500 a month - I could not survive without that income."
Sign up for our new Bristol's Court Insider newsletter for the latest court and crime news - from arrests to trials and sentencings.
READ NEXT:
