M4 chase: Jordan Jones and Lloyd Davies jailed for 110mph

Jordan Jones, 26, of Cormorant Way in Newport, refused to stop for the police as he drove at speed along the M4 for around 25 miles from Wiltshire.

23-year-old Lloyd Davies, of Bryn Heol in Bedwas, tried to get officers to stop pursuing them by shining a bright light - described as being as bright as car headlights on full beam - at the officers. The pursuit came to an end when Jones' car broke down around Magor, and the pair were arrested. [embedded content]

Jones admitted dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving with no insurance, and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.[1] Davies pleaded guilty to causing a danger to other road users, aiding and abetting dangerous driving, and obstructing a police officer, and was sentenced to nine months for these offences. Newport Crown Court heard that an unmarked police car followed a Vauxhall Astra from the A429 in Wiltshire towards the M4 shortly before 1am on December 22 last year.

Jordan Jones appeared to attempt to force the officers off the motorway at a junction. (Image: Wiltshire Police) Jones headed onto the westbound M4 at junction 17 and drove at 60mph, before then speeding up to a steady speed of 90mph, prosecutor Leah Pollard said. When he reached junction 18, the officer pulled in front and signalled for him to follow them.

Jones initially appeared to be complying, but then sped off on the motorway again. As the police gave chase again, Davies shined a bright light at the officers and threw items - including bottles - out of the window. The chase continued for around 25 miles across three counties and reached speeds of over 110mph.

Jordan Jones led police on a 25-mile high speed chase along the M4. (Image: Wiltshire Police) As they passed through a section of roadworks around Bristol, Jones appeared to try and force the pursuing officer off the road, and he also narrowly avoided hitting a lorry at 90mph. The defendants continued into Wales, but black smoke started pouring out the exhaust as they reached Magor and they began to slow.

One of the pursuing officers moved in front of the car, and Jones "collided heavily" with it. Both men were arrested, and checks revealed Jones was banned from driving. The officer described Jones' driving as "desperate and a danger to himself and others", Ms Pollard said.

The light used by Lloyd Davies to shine at the police officers. (Image: Wiltshire Police) Jones, who is employed as a mechanic, had two previous convictions for drug-driving in 2017 and 2023. Zoe Laugharne, for Jones, said his strongest mitigation was his early guilty pleas.

She said this had been Jones' first experience of custody, and a prison sentence would have a "significant impact" as he had caring responsibilities for a family member. Davies was also sentenced for conspiracy to supply cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cannabis [2]. Lloyd Davies shone a light at police officers during a high-speed chase. (Image: Wiltshire Police)

Jac Brown, in mitigation, said Davies was "a young man" and "remains immature in his way of thinking". He said Davies had sought support whilst in prison to address his issues with drug misuse. "You could easily have killed road users, including yourself, your passenger, or the officer," said Judge Celia Hughes.

"This was an appalling 15 minutes of driving." Jones must also pay a GBP100 fine, had six points added to his licence, and was disqualified from driving for four years and two months. Davies' nine-month sentence will run consecutively to his 45-month sentence for the drug offences.

He also had 10 points added to his licence.

References

^ Jones admitted dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving with no insurance, and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. (www.southwalesargus.co.uk)
^ Davies was also sentenced for conspiracy to supply cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cannabis (www.southwalesargus.co.uk)