Dramatic footage shows a teen biker who ‘thought himself to be above the law’ speeding down the motorway – reaching speeds of up to 150mph.
Reckless Harvey Thomas, 19, was spotted by a roads policing officer in an unmarked car whilst breaking the speed limit on his bike, without plates, on the M5 northbound.
The shocking video, taken from the officer’s dashcam footage on Sunday April 28, shows the biker making off at high speed by junction 17 on the motorway near Bristol.
Officers can be heard and seen pursuing the young man whilst the bike reached speeds of up to 150mph during the pursuit.
Thomas headed onto the M4 westbound and across the Prince of Wales bridge, before heading back in the opposite direction.
Harvey Thomas, 19, was spotted by a roads policing officer in an unmarked car whilst breaking the speed limit on his bike, without plates, on the M5 northbound near Bristol
Officers can be heard and seen pursuing the young man whilst the bike reached speeds of up to 150mph during the pursuit
Used a rolling roadblock to slow down other traffic down, officers were able to stop and detain him on the M4 eastbound, prior to junction 20
Used a rolling roadblock to slow down other traffic, officers were able to stop and detain him on the M4 eastbound, prior to junction 20.
Inspector Matt Boiles said: ‘Harvey Thomas put the lives of others, as well as his own life, at risk by the dangerous and reckless driving he engaged in.
‘There was clear evidence he regularly rode at speeds of up to 123mph past fixed camera sites and he clearly thought himself to be above the law.’
Thomas, of Bristol, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, September 14 after being convicted of one count of dangerous driving, six counts of exceeding a 40mph speed limit in contravention of a Local Traffic Order, and two counts of exceeding a 50mph speed limit in contravention of a Local Traffic Order.
He received a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to pay £150 costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
As part of the sentence, Thomas will have to undergo rehabilitation activities and carry out 120 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months.
Thomas, of Bristol, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court, after being convicted of one count of dangerous driving, six counts of exceeding a 40mph speed limit and two counts of exceeding a 50mph speed limit
He received a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to pay £150 costs and a £187 victim surcharge
As part of the sentence, Thomas will have to undergo rehabilitation activities and carry out 120 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months
He’s also been disqualified from driving for 18 months and will have to undertake an extended test following the ban.
Speaking after the case, Inspector Boiles added: ‘Our investigation was complex, due to the bike being ridden without a vehicle registration mark and the fact Thomas was dressed in dark unidentifiable clothing.
‘Officers and staff from our Roads Policing Unit, intelligence team and our Stolen Vehicle Examiner worked together to carry out enquiries and they were able to identify both the rider and the bike, which has ultimately led to this conviction.
‘During the pursuit, Thomas rode at extremely dangerous speeds and it was only due to the skills and tactics of the responding officers that this incident was brought to a safe conclusion.’
