Drug-driver crashed into lamppost at 80mph

A DRIVER under the influence of drugs reached speeds of 120mph during a police chase before crashing into a lamppost, narrowly missing a group of pedestrians.

- PHILIP DEWEY Court correspondent [e-mail]

He said he drove away from officers as he had only recently been giving his driving licence back.

Craig Peacock, 35, was seen driving a Peugeot 307 through Cwmbran on April 11 at speeds of 50mph in a 30mph zone.

A police vehicle indicated its blue lights for the defendant to stop but he accelerated away aggressively and a pursuit began.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard Peacock made his way on the A4042 at 80mph.

He increased his speeds and overtook vehicles at 120mph.