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Disqualified driver jailed after reaching 140mph on M25 near Darenth Interchange and along M20

18:21, 17 May 2023

updated: 15:50, 19 May 2023

A banned driver took police on a high-speed chase where he reached up to 140mph before trying to ram his way out.

When officers caught Kane McLeod they also discovered he had been carrying a loaded 9mm pistol with him as he raced along the M20 towards Maidstone.

Kane McLeod has been jailed after driving at high speeds along the M20. Picture: Kent Police
Kane McLeod has been jailed after driving at high speeds along the M20. Picture: Kent Police

The 32-year-old has been jailed for seven years and nine months after admitting a string of motoring, drugs and firearms offences.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how he had also committed similar offences in Harrow in 2018 when he again rammed police cars trying to escape.

Driving a black Mini, McLeod smashed into three cars and a moped and was tasered before his arrest, when officers discovered a knife and drugs

On April 10 2021, patrols spotted him driving an Audi A7 with cloned number plates reaching speeds between 110 and 140mph on the M25 near the Darenth Interchange in Dartford.

Prosecutor Matthew Kirk told how as officers attempted to slow him down, the Audi appeared to stop in a layby "to draw police vehicles in" before ramming the cars.

The 32-year-old was sentenced in Maidstone Crown Court
The 32-year-old was sentenced in Maidstone Crown Court

Following another high-speed pursuit, he appeared to be taking the exit at Junction 5 for Aylesford, before driving back onto the road and then making a sharp turn.

The court heard how the Audi struck a kerb when airbags inflated and Mcleod lost control and had to stop at a roundabout before attempting to escape while carrying a rucksack – but was again tasered.

Mr Kirk said the rucksack contained a 9mm automatic pistol, loaded with six bullets.

McLeod would later claim he was taking the weapon "under direction" to someone in Canterbury.

Judge Julian Smith told him he would have known what the gun would be used for and had deliberately rammed police vehicles.

McLeod, of Wordsworth Avenue in Derby, admitted possessing a firearm when prohibited for life, disqualified driving, driving without insurance, and two counts of possession of class B drugs.

He was also disqualified from driving for 94 months.

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