VIDEO: Jail for Parkgate driver who reached 145mph

Mitchell Kemp (22), of Victoria Road, Parkgate, was jailed at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Thursday after trying to flee officers in his blue VW Scirocco on the M18 on January 11 just before midday.

Officers had spotted Kemp just after junction 35 and asked him to stop after reports he had made threats to kill towards police officers earlier in the day, a spokeswoman fo South Yorkshire Police said.

Kemp failed to stop and officers pursued him as he failed to stop for red lights, reached 145mph and drove the wrong way round roundabouts.

PC Ashley Leech said: "During the pursuit, Kemp has caused innocent motorists to react, brake and move out of his way by driving erratically.

“During a pursuit officers are continuously risk assessing and taking factors of people’s safety into consideration.

“As the pursuit continued, Kemp drove down the hard shoulder of the M18, undertaking vehicles at speeds of 130mph and 145mph, including lorries.

“At this point, the National Police Air Service (NPAS) arrived to assist us and took over; Kemp continued to drive off the M18 at Junction 4.

“NPAS followed Kemp and witnessed him drive against the flow of traffic at roundabouts and through road works until he stopped his vehicle at a car park in Edenthorpe. Officers attended and he was quickly arrested.”

Kemp was arrested and tested positive for cocaine at the roadside, the police spokeswoman said.

He was taken to hospital to provide a blood sample but failed to do so.

Kemp admitted offences of dangerous driving, failing to stop for officers and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

He was jailed for ten months and disqualified from driving for two years and five months.

PC Leech said: “Drivers who fail to stop pose a risk to other road users, and we usually find that those evading police are linked to further criminality or offences and are more likely to take risks, like driving while under the influence of drugs.

“We will continue to work to create safer roads across South Yorkshire.”