Ex-soldier led cops on high-speed chase

A FORMER Swansea solider suffering with a “PTSD episode” led police on a high-speed drug-fuelled pursuit which included him driving along the hard shoulder of the M4 at speeds in excess of 100mph and racing through a motorway service station.

- JASON EVANS Court and crime reporter

Former soldier Jason Maddocks was sentenced to 14 months in prison after leading police on a high-speed chase through Wiltshire.

(WILTSHIRE POLICE)

The chase came to an end when Jason Maddocks drove into an airfield and went off-road before abandoning the car - and the vulnerable missing woman who had been his passenger - and taking to his heels.

A judge told 36-year-old veteran Maddocks that he had shown an “absolute disregard” for the safety of others.

He also said it was only by luck that nobody had been seriously injured or killed by the defendant's driving.

Swansea Crown Court heard that at lunchtime on October 1 last year, police in Wiltshire received reports that a high-risk missing woman was travelling in a blue Peugeot car.

The vehicle - with the defendant at the wheel - was located in the Chippenham area and officers signalled for it to stop, but it sped off.

The court heard that a prolonged pursuit ensued around the villages Yatton Keynell, Castle Combe, The Gibb, and Acton Turville with Maddocks doing 50mph in 20mph zones, speeding through junctions without slowing, overtaking multiple cars, and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Pursuing officers noted the defendant's driving was becoming “more erratic” as the chase continued.

The court heard Maddocks then joined the M4 eastbound where he swerved through the motorway traffic and raced along the hard shoulder at speeds in excess of 100mph.