A dangerous driver has been locked up after a dramatic high-speed police chase across Nottinghamshire, where he hit speeds over 100mph before deliberately crashing his van.
The High-Speed Pursuit
Michael Cash, 34, of no fixed address, sparked the pursuit when firearms officers spotted his Ford Transit van travelling northbound on the M1 on December 1 last year. After officers activated their blue lights, Cash refused to stop and instead accelerated away.
What followed was a 15-minute ordeal where Cash drove in an extremely dangerous and erratic manner. He reached speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on roads between Barlborough and Worksop, performing a series of risky manoeuvres to evade capture.
Crash and Capture
The chase reached its climax when Cash, in a final desperate bid to escape, deliberately drove his van through a set of locked gates near Torworth. He then abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot into nearby woodland.
His escape was short-lived. The National Police Air Service (NPAS) had been tracking the pursuit from above using thermal imaging cameras. This aerial support guided ground officers directly to his hiding spot. Cash soon emerged from a bush with his hands up and was arrested.
Court Sentencing and Reaction
Cash later pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court on January 7 to charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop, criminal damage, and driving while disqualified and without a licence. He was sentenced via video link on Wednesday, January 14.
Judge Steven Coupland branded Cash a "menace on the roads" and jailed him for 21 months. He was also banned from driving for three years and nine months and must pass an extended retest before he can legally drive again.
Following the sentencing, PC Abby Mason of Nottinghamshire Police said: "The standard of Cash’s driving throughout this ordeal was incredibly dangerous and fell far below what is acceptable... We’re grateful for NPAS’ ongoing support, which played a key role in helping us catch this fleeing motorist."
The successful capture was hailed as an example of excellent teamwork between ground units and the police air service.
