Disqualified Marchwood driver Jack Meffen avoids jail over 120mph M27 police pursuit

A MARCHWOOD man drove at speeds of up to 120mph to escape police just one month after being banned from the roads.

Southampton Crown Court heard how officers pursuing Jack Meffen (19) along the M27 had to abandon their pursuit after struggling to keep up with him.

The incident took place on 12th May when Meffen was seen driving a Volkswagen Golf GTI on the A326 at around 3.45pm.

Prosecutor Gary Venturi told the court that officers in a marked patrol vehicle noticed him driving erratically, getting too close to other cars and going too fast.

They indicated for Meffen to pull over but instead he accelerated away at 70mph before joining the M27.

Mr Venturi continued: "He joined the motorway at at least 100mph and got up to speeds of 120mph before the police gave up because they could not keep up and due to the danger posed."

The owner of the vehicle, who Meffen knew, was traced through the number plate.

Later in a police interview Meffen admitted he had been driving.

The court heard how Meffen had been disqualified on 6th April by Southampton magistrates after admitting driving without a licence or insurance.

Defending, Damien Hayes said the incident had been "a short episode of high speed driving" as a result of Meffen panicking when he realised the police were following him.

No injuries, accident or damage had been caused, he added, and there had been no passengers in the vehicle.

Meffen, of Woodside Close, had pleaded guilty and was remorseful for his actions, he added.

Mr Hayes said Meffen has ADHD and depression, and had experienced a complex and difficult family life.

He became a father when he was "little more than a child himself" and although he does not see his three-year-old he speaks to her on the phone weekly.

Mr Hayes said Meffen also has a six-month-old child with whom he has no contact.

He added Meffen was in employment and the prospect of custody "filled him with dread".

Judge Rowland told him: "You were not just driving while disqualified but dangerously, outrunning the police and weaving from the fast lane to the hard shoulder.

"You have to take on board how close you've come to going to a young offenders' institution."

Meffen was given an an eight-month sentence for dangerous driving, and three months for driving while disqualified. Both were suspended for 18 months and will run concurrently.

He must also carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for two years.

There was no separate sentence for driving without insurance.