A drug-driver who hit 100mph as he sped away from the police was given a suspended sentence.

Harry Richards, 24, of Forsythia Close, Bicester, pleaded guilty to one count each of dangerous driving, failing to stop when required by police, and driving a vehicle with a proportion of a specific controlled drug above the specified limit – namely cannabis.

He was caught on December 12 last year after driving away from police as they arrived in a layby that he was parked in.

Richards failed to stop and drove away at speed, travelling more than 100mph, overtaking vehicles, and driving in a dangerous manner.

A few minutes later Richards was arrested and subsequently provided a positive indication for cannabis at the roadside.

He was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court last Thursday (4) to 10 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years and banned from driving for a year-and-a-half. He must do 120 hours of unpaid work, up to 15 probation sessions and pay £425 in prosecution costs.

The judge ordered that Richards must pass an extended retest before he is able to drive again.

Investigating officer, PC Mark Jones of the Joint Roads Policing Unit, based at Bicester police station, said: “Despite being asked to stop, Richards drove dangerously in his attempt to evade officers.

“This put people’s lives at risk and thankfully no one was injured, however it could have ended very differently.”

This article originally stated that Richards received 12 months’ imprisonment. That sentence was given in a Thames Valley Police press release about the case. It has subsequently been brought to the Oxford Mail’s attention that the police’s press release was inaccurate. We are happy to make this clarification.

Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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