Man jailed after driving through Conwy tunnel at 120mph

A man who drove at 120mph through the Conwy tunnel has been jailed.

On the afternoon of June 18^th last year, 21-year-old Joseph James Gregory from Manchester failed to stop for police on the A55 eastbound carriageway near Bangor. He also made off from police the previous night.

Officers from the roads policing unit pursued Gregory, who was driving a grey Vauxhall Astra, along the A55, recording speeds of up to 110mph.

He almost collided with a van on a roundabout and drove too close to other vehicles forcing them out of the way. Speeds of up to 120mph were recorded in the Conwy tunnel.

They later stopped him on the A55 near Llandudno Junction. The stop also involved a special constable.

He was arrested after failing the roadside drugs test and for various driving offences including driving without a licence and insurance. His 21-year-old passenger was also arrested.

A search of the Astra also found Class A and B drugs and a folder containing names and amounts. Gregory was charged and transferred to court in Manchester.

Yesterday he appeared via video link from prison before a judge at a crown court in Manchester and was jailed for 14 months for the driving offences.

He was banned from driving for 47 months and ordered to take an extended re-test.

He was also jailed for an additional eight months for offences committed in Stockport and for breaching a suspended sentence.

PC Scott Martin of the roads policing unit said: “This was a terrible piece of driving by Gregory who had no thought whatsoever to not only his own and his passengers safety, but also to the safety of other road users that afternoon.

“The number of people who think it is acceptable to drive illegally and carelessly is shocking and we will continue to stepping up our enforcement activity against drivers who commit one of the Fatal 5 offences.

“Breaking the rules of the road creates risk and this sentence shows there are clear consequences for those that do.”