A BANNED driver has been jailed after he went on a high-speed 20-minute road rampage with his friends on his birthday.
Tony Berrill topped 90mph, ran red lights and performed dangerous overtaking manoeuvres as he careered through Coventry streets in a Seat Leon on October 5 last year.
West Midlands Police patrol officers were forced to abandon their pursuit for fear Berrill’s driving could cause a serious collision.
The 24-year-old ditched the car in Tiverton Road and fled, though an air observer directed officers on the ground to make an arrest in Sewall Highway.
In a police interview, he claimed to have been a rear seat passenger, but later admitted dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.
At on Thursday (March 23), Berrill – of no fixed address – was jailed for 12 months and banned from the roads for three-and-a-half-years.
He will be required to take an extended re-test in order to get his licence back.
CMPG Roads Policing officer Mitch Darby, said: “It’s some of the worst driving I’ve ever seen.
“He was driving at speeds approaching 70 miles per hour in 30-zones, the wrong way around roundabouts, and into oncoming traffic on dual carriageways.
“He was banned from driving but showed a complete disregard for the disqualification, plus the safety of his passengers and other road users.
“Throughout his police interview, Berrill was aggressive, belligerent and showed no remorse.
“He told us he was ‘out for a laugh’ on his birthday – his driving was no laughing matter, though, and could have resulted in tragic consequences.”
