The drink driver drove around 120 mph on M25 before crashing UK News

A drink driver escaped jail after driving at a speed of around 120 mph before crashing at a roundabout and running away on foot.

Michael Cheshire had taken the M25 towards Watford in a Volkswagen Golf when he exited the J22 ramp at London Colney and crashed.

The 32-year-old was later found by police after running away from the car and failing a road breathalyzer test.

He appeared in St Albans Crown Court on charges of being convicted on Tuesday June 1, after pleading guilty to driving dangerously and exceeding the drink driving limit on March 11.

The court heard how Cheshire was first spotted by police on June 25, 2020, around 11:15 p.m., as he was speeding down High Street, Potters Bar.

The officers, who had lost sight of Cheshire, said the speed at which he was driving made their car shake.

But a few minutes later he was picked up by other police officers in Southgate Road, his driving described as “erratic”.

The court heard that Cheshire then drove the M25 and pulled away from the officers behind him, who described his speed as around 120 mph.

However, the car was found after crashing at a roundabout on the J22 slip road.

The car had been abandoned by Cheshire, who was later found by police and agreed to be the driver.

He failed a roadside breathalyzer test and was taken to the police station, where he was found to have recorded 47 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of breath – the legal limit is 35 mg.

Peter Saville, in defense, told the court that “it was the mistake that woke him up”.

He said Cheshire, who was in the car with other passengers, had been made to drive faster and had remorse for his actions.

Mr Saville added that Cheshire had been taken on leave from his job as a heavy truck driver and had now quit his job following the incident.

But he said the accused took “immense pride” in working for his young family and had started a business with his uncle.

Recorder Stan Reiz described the incident as a “prolonged course of misconduct” and that there was greater guilt on the part of the defendant.

But he said Cheshire was in paid employment and found it “heartwarming” that he was a worker, adding that the accused “deeply regrets his actions during the night”.

Cheshire, of Great Elms Road, Hemel Hempstead, was given an eight month suspended prison sentence for two years and was ordered to perform 120 hours of unpaid labor.

He was also banned from driving and ordered to pay £ 425.

A fundamental principle of justice is that it must be seen to be done. It is established in the UK that court cases must be heard in public. This principle of open justice is acclaimed for a number of reasons – as a safeguard against miscarriage of justice, as a deterrent against perjury, to aid the deterrent function of criminal trials and to allow the disclosure of matters of interest. public.

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