Drink driver jailed after 115mph pursuit

A driver has been jailed after speeding away from police officers at up to 115mph while under the influence of drink and drugs.

Deon Samra, aged 21, was spotted driving at high speed along Derby Road, Nottingham, in the early hours of Saturday 11 November last year.

After he was instructed to pull over by a police officer, he accelerated away at high speed.

In the minutes that followed he reached speeds of more than 100mph as he repeatedly passed through red lights in residential areas and drove at oncoming traffic.

At one point he reached a speed of 115mph along the A52.

Samra was finally apprehended near Derby after losing control at high speed and veering over a roundabout.

As one of his two passengers fled the scene, Samra attempted to deceive arresting officers by jumping out of the driver’s seat and into the back seat.

As he failed drink and drug tests by the side of the road, he claimed repeatedly that he hadn’t been driving.

After giving “no comment” answers to all questions posed to him during his police interview, he later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drink driving, drug driving and driving without insurance.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday Samra, of Derby, was jailed for nine months and disqualified from driving for two years and four months.

PC Kerry Sansom, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Samra showed a complete disregard for the safety of his passengers and other road users as he led officers on a lengthy and high-speed pursuit.

“His driving that night was some of the most dangerous I have seen and he should count himself lucky not to have killed or seriously injured anyone.

“I am pleased he has now been punished for his actions and hope this case serves as a reminder to others – that driving of this nature is very likely to end with a prison sentence.”