Reckless driver jailed after footage shows Cambridgeshire Police pursuit on wrong side of the road

Joseph Mahon, 24, swerved onto the wrong side of the road several times during the 40-minute pursuit, which began in Wulfston Way, Cambridge, at 12.40am on July 17 last year after he failed to stop for officers.

Mahon accelerated away from officers in his Ford transit van, reaching twice the legal speed limit, before slamming on his brakes and reversing into pursuing officers in Queen Edith’s Way.

He continued on the wrong side of the road before driving the wrong way around a roundabout.

Failing to stop at red lights, Mahon veered onto a slip road of the M11 in the wrong direction.

Officers pulled back and joined the M11, eventually catching up with Mahon who was speeding up the hard shoulder in the wrong direction.

The pursuit continued for another 35 minutes through Melbourn, Foxton, Harston and back into central Cambridge.

The pursuit came to an end after Mahon drove through a police stinger in Milton Road.

With four deflating tyres, he continued at almost twice the speed limit before turning through a no-entry sign onto the guided busway.

Mahon was arrested a short while later after the van came to a stop. Two passengers were also arrested but later released without charge.

Mahon pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage and dangerous driving and was jailed for three years on Tuesday at Cambridge Crown Court. He was also handed a four-and-a-half year disqualification from driving.

PC Ben Patten said: “Mahon broke just about every rule of the road possible as he recklessly attempted to escape from officers.

“His blatantly disregarded the safety of others and I’m thankful he will not be free to drive like that for a long time.”