Thug Sentenced for 100mph Stolen Car Chase
A 21-year-old driver was sentenced to 12 months in prison for leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle, culminating in a crash.
Ben Marchant, 21, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after leading police on a pursuit at speeds exceeding 100 mph in a stolen vehicle.
During the early hours of April 21, Marchant was driving a stolen Vauxhall Insignia along the A303 in Wiltshire when he was spotted by officers. He fled from law enforcement, dangerously swerving between traffic at high speeds. Dashcam footage captured the extent of the chase.
The pursuit ended when Marchant attempted to exit the dual carriageway at the junction for Barton Stacey. He clipped a kerb while attempting the turn, causing the vehicle to become airborne before coming to a halt on a grass verge.
Officers immediately apprehended Marchant at the scene. As he was being cuffed, rap music was heard playing from the car. He was subsequently charged with failing to stop, dangerous driving, theft of a vehicle, and possession of a Class B drug.
In addition to the prison sentence, Marchant was disqualified from driving for five years and ordered to pay a £228 fine.
PC Tom Webster of Wiltshire Police's Roads Policing Unit called the footage 'shocking,' emphasizing the extreme danger posed by Marchant's driving. "Drivers like Marchant who show a total disregard for others should be dealt with robustly," he stated, expressing satisfaction with the custodial sentence and lengthy disqualification. He noted that Marchant was unable to control the vehicle at such high speeds, leading to the crash on the slip road.
