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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Paul Britton

'Reckless and selfish' driver speeds wrong way along motorway in Ford Fiesta

This is the shocking moment a 'reckless and selfish' motorist drove the wrong way along a motorway for more than a mile into oncoming traffic at speed.

The footage showing Kieran Philibin in a Ford Fiesta on the M65 has been released by police as the 36-year-old from Stockport begins a jail sentence.

Police chiefs described an 'appalling piece of driving' after his conviction, saying other motorists were left 'shocked and terrified' and Philibin's actions 'could have easily resulted in somebody being seriously injured or killed'.

Video footage filmed from an onboard police dash-cam tracks Philibin in the car as it speeds down the hard shoulder before coming to a stop. Lancashire Police said he was 'wanted' at the time in July last year.

The force said in a statement: "At around 8.30pm on July 31 our officers were looking for a blue Ford Fiesta which was believed to be using false registration plates. The vehicle was registered to wanted defendant Kieran Philibin.

Kieran Philibin (Lancashire Police)

"The Fiesta was spotted by our officers in Princess Way, Burnley, and followed onto Active Way. Philibin failed to stop for our officers and a pursuit ensued.

"The Fiesta jumped a red light and Philibin went the wrong way around a roundabout and then the wrong way down the dual carriageway section of Princess Way heading towards Junction 11 of the M65.

"After engaging in more reckless driving, Philibin entered the M65 at Junction 11 and drove the wrong way up the slip road. The Fiesta travelled at speed for 1.5 miles, before coming to a stop and Philibin and his front seat passenger running from the scene."

Philibin, of Samuel Street, Heaton Norris, was arrested hiding nearby. Police said he was subsequently convicted of dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving without insurance and drug-driving. At Burnley Crown Court earlier this month, he was jailed for 16 months and banned from driving for five years and eight months.

The video footage (Lancashire Police)

PC Anthony Beckett, of Lancashire Police’s Tactical Operations, said: “This was an appalling piece of driving committed by a man who was actively trying to evade arrest.

"As shown the footage there were many motorists on the M65 that day who will have been shocked and terrified by Philibin’s reckless and selfish actions, which could have easily resulted in somebody being seriously injured or killed. This behaviour will not be tolerated on the roads of Lancashire and we will do everything in our power to put the perpetrators before the courts."

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