Mustang driver jailed for 140mph wrong-way M4 driving with child

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 18:29 · Archive

Martin Stokes, 20, has been jailed for driving a Mustang at 140mph the wrong way down the M4 with a 15-year-old passenger.

Martin Stokes, 20, of no fixed address, has been jailed for driving a Mustang at 140mph the wrong way down the M4 with a 15-year-old passenger during a police chase that lasted from Bristol to Swindon on 8 July, just before 9pm.

Stokes was on conditional bail with an interim disqualification from driving when Avon & Somerset Police spotted him driving erratically. He collided with another car but continued driving, proceeding onto the M4 where he drove down the wrong side of the motorway into head-on traffic. Wiltshire Police then took up the chase and witnessed him reach 140mph while driving the wrong way on the A419 and A420 near Swindon, narrowly avoiding multiple crashes.

A video of the driving was shown in court. Judge Jason Taylor KC commented that 'the danger was just off the scale' and told Stokes that other drivers 'must have been filled with terror as they saw you approaching'. The judge added: 'You were a hair's breadth away from tragedy. It's a matter of luck that multiple fatalities were avoided.'

Stokes made multiple threats to kill during the incident. The judge said: 'It's clear to me that you have utter contempt and disregard for driving laws. You seem to think they don't apply to you.' Police described the driving as the worst they had ever seen.

How it is being reported

• Horror as Mustang driver hit 140mph and drove into head-on M4 traffic with childA 'menace' driver has been jailed for the 'most dangerous driving' ever witnessed after he took a 15-year-old at 140mph down the wrong side of the M4, sparking terror.Wiltshire Times · 16 Oct, 15:33
• Utter terror as 'menace' drove at 140mph into head-on M4 traffic with child in carA 'menace' driver has been jailed for the 'most dangerous driving' ever witnessed after he took a 15-year-old at 140mph down the wrong side of the M4, sparking terror.Swindon Advertiser · 16 Oct, 15:33
• Horror as Mustang driver hit 140mph and drove into head-on M4 traffic with childA 'menace' driver has been jailed for the 'most dangerous driving' ever witnessed after he took a 15-year-old at 140mph down the wrong side of the M4, sparking terror.Gazette & Herald · 16 Oct, 15:33

In this story: Martin Stokes · M4 · Bristol · Swindon · Avon & Somerset Police · Wiltshire Police · Judge Jason Taylor KC

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