A driver clocked doing 120mph on the A47 claimed he put his foot down after panicking at a car following him that turned out to be undercover police.  

Officers became suspicious after passing a Mini Cooper being driven by Harry West, 28, in the early hours of May 14 last year.

Turning around they pursued him as he continued to speed erratically, including overtaking on hazard warning markings, Norwich Crown Court was told. 

READ MORE: Norfolk BMW driver banned for doing over 100mph on A47

Godfried Duah, prosecuting, said on a section of the A47 past the roundabout exit at Walpole Highway, between King’s Lynn and Wisbech, he had weaved dangerously between lanes at speeds of 120mph.  

The high speed pursuit included the Walpole Highway roundabout, between King’s Lynn and WisbechThe high speed pursuit included the Walpole Highway roundabout, between King’s Lynn and Wisbech (Image: Google)

Police had called in back-up for a tactical pursuit during the chase that lasted for 10 miles as he refused to stop. 

When he was eventually stopped he refused to open the car door until officers threatened to use a baton to smash the windows and then continued to resist arrest.

West, from Peterborough, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and possession of class A drugs after cocaine and ketamine was discovered in the car.

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Samantha Ball, mitigating, said: “He panicked and did not realise the other vehicle was a police car as it did not have its blue lights on. 

Harry West leaving Norwich Crown CourtHarry West leaving Norwich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

“The other occupant of his car had just been released after a 10 year prison sentence and although my client was previously of a good character there was some peer pressure involved in his decisions that he very much regrets.”

Mental health issues, his low risk to the public and prison overcrowding meant an immediate jail sentence could be avoided, she added.  

Sentencing him to six months in prison suspended for 18 months, Recorder Jones told him: “You can count yourself very fortunate that this type of driving did not result in yourself or other road users being killed or seriously injured.” 

He banned him from driving for 18 months and ordered he sit an extended retest.