Two men have been jailed following a dangerous high-speed police pursuit on the M4 that saw a high-powered lamp used to blind officers and objects thrown from a fleeing vehicle.
The incident occurred around 1am on December 22, 2024, when police spotted 26-year-old Jordan Jones, of Cormorant Way, Dyffryn, driving a grey Vauxhall Astra at excessive speed on the M4 westbound near junction 18. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but Jones, who was disqualified from driving and uninsured, failed to stop.
Jones led police on a pursuit, reaching speeds of up to 120mph and repeatedly driving at police vehicles, nearly causing several collisions. During the chase, his passenger, 23-year-old Lloyd Davis, of Bryn Heol, Bedwas, used a high-powered torch to dazzle officers.
Davis repeatedly aimed the light into the windscreen of PC Hobbs’ vehicle and, when driving parallel, directly into the officer’s eyes. He also threw missiles from the car, further endangering the pursuit.
The chase came to an end near junction 23 at Magor when the Astra suffered engine failure, and both men were arrested at the scene.
Jones was charged and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and driving while disqualified. He appeared at Newport Crown Court on Tuesday, August 26, where he was sentenced to 16 months in prison and banned from driving for four years and two months.
Davis was charged with causing danger to road users, aiding and abetting dangerous driving, and obstructing a police officer. He was sentenced to nine months in prison. He was also handed an additional sentence of three years and nine months for separate drug offences linked to a Gwent Police investigation.
Following the sentencing, Roads Policing Officer PC Hobbs spoke about the danger of the pursuit.
He said: “From what was a routine traffic stop, this turned into one of the most dangerous experiences of my career.
“Having a light that was so powerful shone directly into my eyes, heating my face, while pursuing a fleeing vehicle was a challenge.
“Thanks to my training and desire to keep the public safe, with the support of my colleagues, we brought this pursuit to a safe conclusion and both individuals were arrested.
“The sentencing for both the driver and passenger are a fair reflection on the dangers they posed to other road users, and I hope it stands as an incentive for others not to be so reckless.”
Credit Wiltshire Police
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