Notts teen taunted cops after evading them in 100mph M1 chase

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, burgled 13 homes in December 2019 and January 2020, the majority of which were occupied with young children present, prosecutor Priya Bakshi told Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.

Eleven cars were stolen and two burglaries saw knives taken upstairs. Jewellery, including an £11,500 Rolex, and Christmas presents were grabbed.

He was arrested on December 27 and released on bail with a “stringent” curfew, Ms Bakshi said, but he continued to offend.

Following a burglary on Wighay Road, Hucknall, on January 4, he was spotted in a stolen Peugeot on the A610, and five police vehicles gave chase.

The 25 minute pursuit southbound between junctions 26 and 24, saw him reach speeds of 100mph and swerve repeatedly across the lanes.

Efforts to box him in failed and the 16-year-old finally collided with a police car and the central reservation. The Peugeot was catapulted across the motorway, with sparks flying from the wheels, and the defendant made off with another youth across fields.

A video in which he taunted police that they couldn't catch him, was later uploaded by the other youth.

James Beck, mitigating, said: "He has been incarcerated since January 9 and has served the equivalent of a 13-month order.”

He urged Judge Timothy Spencer QC to consider releasing him into the community so he can receive rehabilitation.

The judge told the defendant: “You became a very proficient house burglar, night after night. You must have terrorised neighbourhoods.

"This driving is amongst the worst I have come across in my 35 years’ experience.

“You must have thought yourself really clever when you evaded the police,” he added. “Well, you're not so clever now.”

The youth admitted 13 house burglaries and four attempted burglaries, handling stolen goods and dangerous driving. Judge Spencer imposed a detention and training order for 24 months, which will enable him to pursue his plans of becoming a plumber.

He was warned that he will be “hit by the full force of the law” if he reoffends.

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