A 20-year-old man has been remanded in custody after admitting a string of offences following what police described as one of the most dangerous driving incidents they have encountered.
Martin Stokes, of no fixed address, appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 10 July, after a pursuit that began on the M4 and ended on the A420.
The court heard that shortly before 9pm on 8 July, Wiltshire Police received reports of a Ford Mustang being driven dangerously on the westbound carriageway of the M4.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it failed to stop and continued its journey.
During the pursuit, the car was driven the wrong way around Junction 15 before joining the A419 and continuing onto the A420, where specially trained officers brought it to a halt using tactical contact.
Stokes pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, assaulting an emergency worker, criminal damage, driving while disqualified, making threats to kill and using a motor vehicle without insurance.
He was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Swindon Crown Court on 21 August for sentencing.
PC Ben Greening, from Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said the incident had posed an extreme risk to other road users.
“This was some of the most dangerous driving we have witnessed and I am thankful that he has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
“His actions put so many road users’ lives at risk and it is incredibly lucky that nobody was injured as a result of his actions.”
