A serving police officer has been handed a suspended sentence after being caught driving at a staggering 166mph on a busy dual carriageway, in a case that has raised serious questions about accountability within the force.
PC James O'Keeffe, 23, was captured on his own dashcam weaving through traffic at terrifying speeds in his powerful BMW M140i along the A420 between Oxford and Swindon.
The Moment of Recklessness
Shocking footage shows the officer accelerating to speeds that would see most motorists immediately banned from the roads. At one point, he overtakes multiple vehicles in quick succession, appearing to use the hard shoulder to pass other cars.
"The speed you reached was eye-watering," Judge Michael Roake told O'Keeffe during sentencing. "You weaved in and out of traffic, driving at grossly excessive speeds that created a significant and obvious risk of danger to other road users."
Escaping Immediate Prison
Despite the extreme nature of the offence, O'Keeffe received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 18 months.
The lenient sentencing has sparked outrage among road safety campaigners, who argue that a police officer should be held to higher standards than ordinary motorists.
Career in Jeopardy
Thames Valley Police confirmed that O'Keeffe remains suspended from duty while misconduct proceedings take place. A police spokesperson stated: "We expect the highest standards of conduct from our officers both on and off duty."
The officer's defence claimed he was "truly remorseful" and had shown "genuine shame" for his actions, citing personal difficulties at the time of the offence.
Public Safety Concerns
Road safety experts have expressed alarm at the case, particularly given the officer's position of responsibility. "When those entrusted with upholding the law break it in such a flagrant manner, it undermines public confidence in policing," said one campaigner.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of dangerous driving and has reignited debates about appropriate sentencing for extreme speeding offences.
