Police dashcam footage captured the moment a man attempting to evade justice during a 100mph police chase smashed a stolen car after hitting the kerb on a dual carriageway.
Ben Marchant, 21, stole a Vauxhall Insignia in the town of Ludgershall, Wiltshire, before police tracked the car to the eastbound carriageway of the A303. A chase ensued after the driver, from Southampton, dangerously sped away when he noticed officers following in the early hours of April 21.
Footage shows car launched into the air
Dashcam footage from police showed the 21-year-old swerving between lanes before hitting the brakes at a junction and attempting to make a quick exit off the dual carriageway. The driver was seen hitting the kerb at the junction before flying into the air over the grass verge.
The stolen vehicle came to a stop as it crashed onto the verge, and officers quickly stopped their car to arrest Marchant. Police bodycam footage then showed the moment officers pinned the driver down onto the ground as they arrested him on suspicion of the theft of a motor vehicle.
Charges and sentencing
The 21-year-old was later charged by Wiltshire Police with dangerous driving, theft of a vehicle, failing to stop and possession of a Class B drug. Marchant was sentenced to 12 months behind bars, disqualified from driving for five years and was ordered to pay a fine worth £228.
PC Tom Webster from Wiltshire Police's Roads Policing Unit, speaking after sentencing, dubbed the footage "shocking" and said he was "pleased" with the punishment. He said: "During the pursuit, Marchant drove well in excess of 100mph, putting himself and other road users at risk of injury or worse. He was unable to control the vehicle at such speed and as he attempted to leave the A303, he crashed into a hedgerow on the slip road."
Officer's response and similar case
"The footage is really quite shocking and makes you wonder how nobody was seriously injured. Drivers like Marchant who show a total disregard for others should be dealt with robustly and I am pleased that a custodial sentence and lengthy disqualification has been given."
This comes after a driver was sentenced to 10 months in prison suspended for one year and disqualified from driving for two years after a 165mph police chase. Luke Plumley, 27, reached the high speeds and forced vehicles out of the way on the M56 near Chester in June last year. Footage showed how officers at one point were forced to pursue him along the hard shoulder. He was forced to slow down as traffic became heavier, allowing officers to catch up.
