A TEENAGER who repeatedly rode a motorbike at high speeds has been slapped with a suspended prison sentence and a driving ban.

Harvey Thomas, of Emersons Green, was arrested after a high-speed chase near Bristol in April when he was spotted riding without number plates.

He had previously been clocked at speeds of up to 123mph past fixed safety camera sites in South Gloucestershire.

The 19-year-old was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court after being convicted of one count of dangerous driving, six counts of exceeding a 40mph speed limit in contravention of a Local Traffic Order and two counts of exceeding a 50mph speed limit in contravention of a Local Traffic Order.

He received a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to pay £150 costs and a £187 victim surcharge.

He will have to undergo rehabilitation activities and carry out 120 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months.

He has also been disqualified from driving for 18 months and will have to undertake an extended test after the ban.

Thomas committed the offences over a three-month period earlier this year, mainly in Filton and Patchway in South Gloucestershire.

He rode without plates in a bid to avoid justice but, after an investigation, police were able to identify him and the bike he was using.

Thomas was arrested on Sunday, April 28 when roads policing officer PC Mark Lambert, who was in an unmarked car, spotted a bike being ridden without plates near junction 17 of the M5 northbound (Cribbs Causeway).

The bike made off and reached speeds of up to 150mph during the following pursuit, which went onto the M4 westbound and across the Prince of Wales bridge before heading back in the opposite direction.

Officers used a rolling roadblock to slow down other traffic down so they could safely stop and detain him on the M4 eastbound, prior to junction 20 (Almondsbury).

Thomas reached speeds of up to 150mph during the pursuit.Thomas reached speeds of up to 150mph during the pursuit. (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

After Thomas was sentenced, inspector Matt Boiles said: “Harvey Thomas put the lives of others, as well as his own life, at risk by the dangerous and reckless driving he engaged in.

“There was clear evidence he regularly rode at speeds of up to 123mph past fixed camera sites and he clearly thought himself to be above the law.

“Our investigation was complex, due to the bike being ridden without a vehicle registration mark and the fact Thomas was dressed in dark unidentifiable clothing.

“Officers and staff from our Roads Policing Unit, intelligence team and our Stolen Vehicle Examiner worked together to carry out enquiries and they were able to identify both the rider and the bike, which has ultimately led to this conviction.

“During the pursuit, Thomas rode at extremely dangerous speeds, and it was only due to the skills and tactics of the responding officers that this incident was brought to a safe conclusion.

“Within the Roads Policing Unit, we have the specialist capability and knowledge to identify those who needlessly put lives in danger, and we’ll always take robust action to keep the public safe.

“Speeding is one of the ‘Fatal Five’ offences, along with distraction, careless driving, failing to wear a seatbelt and drink or drug driving, and we’ll continue to take a proactive response to reduce these risks on our roads.”