A banned driver who hit 155mph on the M6 in north Cumbria as he fled police in a stolen £60,000 car has been jailed.
Carlisle Crown Court heard today how the powerful red Audi RS saloon was stolen by an intruder who broken into a man’s home in Fife on November 19 2023.
As the owner became aware someone had forced their way into his home, the man and his wife barricaded themselves into their bedroom.
In the hours after that Audi was stolen, it came into the possession of convicted robber Serxho Bebja, now 27.
On November 21, the Audi was spotted being driven southbound, at excess speed, by Bebja in the area of Southwaite services.
Despite a police constable ordering Bebja to stop, he accelerated away. It reached speeds in excess of 155mph on the motorway and then, on A and B roads on the outskirts of Penrith, was driven at 110mph. Three different officers gave chase but lost sight of the Audi.
Just after 12.40am, it was reported crashed and abandoned on the B5305 close to Unthank with Bebja having failed to negotiate a bend in the road.
Data from a deployed airbag showed the vehicle was travelling at 99mph five seconds before impact, and that the driver had not been wearing a seatbelt.
Inside the vehicle was a mobile phone belonging to Bebja and a bank card in his name. His postcode was listed on a sat nav on the phone.
Bebja, of Tarling Road, East London, was arrested, brought to court and later admitted four offences – handling stolen goods, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and no insurance.
The court heard he had past offences on his criminal record which included robbery, dangerous driving and cannabis possession with intent to supply and had previously been given a lengthy driving ban.
Defence barrister Anthony Parkinson, mitigating, said Bebja was an otherwise hard-working man who was employed in the family business as an administrator, and had suffered ill health following a motorbike accident when aged 18.
Sentencing judge, Recorder Ciaran Rankin, imposed a 30-month jail term for Bebja’s Cumbrian crimes.
“It is quite remarkable you weren’t wearing a seat belt, yet you seem to leave the vehicle relatively unscathed,” said the judge. “You are extremely lucky not to have received significant — if not life-changing — injuries.
Bebja must serve an 18-month driving ban when released and pass an extended test before his licence is returned.
