A 21-year-old man has been sentenced after leading police on an hour-long pursuit through Cheshire while driving a three-axle flatbed truck without the required license or insurance.

The chase began in Cuddington on August 10, when PC Michael Clark attempted to stop Leuan Griffiths. Instead of stopping, Griffiths reportedly accelerated away in the truck he had purchased, beginning a pursuit that passed through Weaverham, Sandiway and Davenham before reaching Whitchurch.

High-speed driving captured on police video

According to police, Griffiths reached 76 mph in a 50 mph zone and drove at 56 mph through a 20 mph area. Video released by Cheshire Police shows the truck overtaking other vehicles with little room to spare and navigating roads that offered limited space for a vehicle of its size.

The footage also shows Griffiths repeatedly creating dangerous situations for other road users. Police said the truck’s size and the speeds involved would have made a physical intervention particularly hazardous.

After reaching Whitchurch, Griffiths abandoned the truck and attempted to escape on foot. Officers caught him shortly afterward.

PC Clark described the pursuit as one of the worst examples of driving he had seen and said it was remarkable that nobody suffered serious injuries.

Suspended prison sentence and driving ban

Griffiths received an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also banned from driving for two years and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

Before he can obtain a license in the future, Griffiths will have to pass an extended driving test.