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Driver led police on '20-mile chase hitting 120mph'

Police reached speeds of around 120mph during a 20-mile chase after a man tried to flee officers responding to a domestic call.

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Gurjeet Shergill was involved in a ‘domestic incident’ at his partner’s house in Borona Way, Stafford, on September 17.

He had driven away from the property before police were called but discovered a number of marked vehicles were still outside when he returned.

He then sped away, resulting in a chase that spilled on to the M6 and, at its height, saw Shergill, of Bilston Road, Wolverhampton, hitting speeds of 120mph.

The whole chase latest 15 minutes, Cannock Magistrates' Court heard.

The 27-year-old, who is a member of the Armed Forces, pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving and one count of failing to stop.

Emma Thompson, prosecuting, said: “The defendant appears before the court today charged with dangerous driving and failing to stop after a 20-mile police chase during which he reached speeds of up to 120mph, drove at 80mph in a 50mph zone, overtook cars at high speeds on the wrong side of the road and overtook a HGV just about to get on the M6.

“Police were called to the defendant’s partner’s house in Stafford to reports of a domestic incident, for which there have been no charges brought.

“By the time they were called out, however, he had left the scene. He returned after taking a video call, which showed there were no police cars at the site.

“However, they had been hidden. When he did return, he saw marked cars and immediately turned around, leading police on the chase, which reached its peak speed on the M6 southbound.

“It came to an end when he hit a central reservation on the motorway but no damage was caused to anything other than his own vehicle.”

Defending, David Ellis said: “There is no suggestion anyone was inconvenienced by the bad driving and a police report from the call out to its conclusion only makes minimal reference to the incident. However, he admits he was in the wrong and has learned a lesson.

“He has a supportive family but, dependent on sentencing, this could have a serious impact on his role in the Armed Forces, although he does have the full support of his commanding officer.”

Shergill will be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court at a later date.