A young man from Lothersdale has been handed a suspended prison sentence after being caught travelling at 140mph on the M65 motorway.
Frank Tidswell, aged 23, was prosecuted at Preston Crown Court following an incident on June 13.
The court heard that he had been driving a Volkswagen Golf along the motorway while returning from Blackpool.
Prosecutor Seren Lewis outlined how an officer in an unmarked vehicle first observed the Golf near Blackburn at approximately 6.30pm.
She told the court that Tidswell subsequently accelerated to 120mph between the Whitebirk Roundabout and Clayton-le-Moors sections of the motorway.
The vehicle’s speed reduced to 100mph near the next junction, where it undertook a white SUV travelling at that velocity.
Lewis explained that a second traffic officer was subsequently alerted and positioned themselves at the Burnley junction to assist with intercepting the car.
According to the prosecution, as the defendant approached the Nelson junction, he tailgated a white Volkswagen Polo.
This caused the Polo to move into the first lane to prevent a collision.
Once past the Colne junction at the motorway’s terminus, the Golf reached its maximum velocity of 140mph.
The pursuing officer then activated their emergency lights and sirens.
Tidswell complied immediately and stopped the vehicle, where he was subsequently cautioned and interviewed by officers.
The court was informed that Tidswell had one prior conviction spanning two offences.
He was found to have breached a suspended sentence previously issued by Bradford Crown Court.
That earlier sentence had been imposed for an offence of possessing cocaine with intent to supply, which occurred approximately four years earlier when Tidswell was 18 years old.
Defence counsel Daniel Harman submitted that the defendant had committed an error in judgment after being informed he needed to return home to care for his grandfather.
Harman stated that Tidswell had made a foolish choice to drive at excessive speed, though he suggested officers could have intercepted the vehicle considerably earlier.
Recorder Emma Fisher presided over the sentencing.
She took issue with the defence characterisation, asserting that the case involved more than simply excessive velocity.
The recorder stated that undertaking other vehicles at such speeds constituted a different category of hazardous behaviour.
Tidswell was sentenced to 24 weeks’ imprisonment, with that term suspended for 20 months.
He was further ordered to perform 20 hours of unpaid community work.
The earlier suspended sentence was not activated.
Addressing the defendant, the recorder gestured toward his family present in the courtroom and stated that he now faced a pivotal moment, offering him one opportunity to change his circumstances.