Motorbike rider banned after caught doing 153mph
- Published
A motorcyclist caught speeding at 153mph has been handed a 30 month ban and a 16-week suspended jail sentence.
HGV mechanic Andrew Darren Jones was spotted by an unmarked police motorcyclist on the A470 near Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd in August.
He followed Jones at speeds of up to 120mph - and only caught up when he slowed to enter a village.
Jones, 37, of Dudley, West Midlands admitted dangerous driving.
He was also ordered to carry out 250 hours unpaid work by Dolgellau magistrates.
Prosecutor, Richard Edwards said the police motorcyclist had considered calling off his pursuit over a bank holiday weekend because of the high speeds.
"But the police officer felt that he had a public duty to stop the motorcyclist because other motorists could be put in danger," he said.
'Irresponsible'
The court heard that Jones had ignored road markings and overtaken three vehicles and later during the chase overtook another line of four cars near the junction to a busy tourist spot, the Coed y Brenin Forest Centre.
"The stretch of road is undulating with several farm entrances, lay-byes and road junctions. But once the defendant saw the police motorcyclist behind him in the village, he did pull over," added Mr Edwards.
Defending Jones, solicitor Gareth Evans said the defendant faced losing his job as an HGV mechanic who was required to attend breakdowns 24-hours a day.
Court chairman Caerwyn Roberts said that it was an exceptionally high speed and was irresponsible driving.
"We know that stretch of road, it is undulating with several farm entrances and a custodial sentence is inevitable. But we are prepared to suspend the sentence," he told Jones.
In addition to the suspended sentence, driving ban and unpaid work, Jones was told he must take an advanced test before being able to drive or ride again.
Speaking after the hearing, the motorcyclist said he was relieved not to have been jailed.