Soldier disqualified from driving for 'racing' police car

9:57am Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Journal Reporter

A SOLDIER from Bulford has been disqualified from driving after “racing” an unmarked police car at 121mph.

Staff Sergeant Richard William Deeley, 31, was driving his Dodge Challenger along the A303 on November 17 last year when he spotted the silver BMW behind him, but was unaware it was a police vehicle.

Deeley, who was on his way to a colleague’s stag do, accelerated and got up to speeds of 121mph before officers switched on their pursuit lights and pulled him over.

Salisbury Magistrates Court heard he then told the police officers: “I thought you were racing me. I wanted to get away because I don’t need the hassle.”

Deeley told the court: “I’m a careful driver and have had a clean licence for 13 years. I realise that speed wasn’t the correct action to take and I should have just maintained the same speed and let the BMW pass me by. I apologise for that.”

The soldier, of New Ward Road, Bulford Barracks, was disqualified from driving for 28 days and ordered to pay a fine of £357.

Comments(5)

kjpayne says...
1:12pm Fri 11 Jan 13

As much as I condone speeds as high as these, I do not agree with the fact that the defendant 'got up to speeds of 121mph before officers switched on their pursuit lights and pulled him over'
I personally wouldn't feel safe if i had a car following me whatever speed i went. I see this soldier as easy bait.
Why were the police officers allowed to travel at 120mph without lights or sirens?!

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Mystery Mike says...
4:31pm Mon 14 Jan 13

He must have been driving eratically enough to attract their attention in the first place and with him driving a Dodge Challenger, I doubt they were following him for many miles before he shot off at that speed!

People in these sports cars develop a different mentality, egotism and machismo. I doubt at any point that he was 'scared' because a BMW was following him!

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DIAF says...
11:45am Tue 15 Jan 13

Disqualified from driving for 28 days.....? Ill have to remember that excuse if ever I get caught driving at those speeds!!

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markwillt says...
1:12pm Tue 15 Jan 13

I dear say an outstanding reference was given in court from a superior officer, after all remember a defenceless disabled man murdered the defendant was an outstanding soldier therefore let off with a pittance of a sentance, if it had been a civillian out for a drink it would have been life, it underminds the real soldiers who defend our rights every day and still keep within the rules (99.9o/o) were proud of you lads

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DowntonDAN says...
9:08pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Caught speeding?? Should be one months ban for every 1mph over the limit. That would see this idiot off the roads for 51 months (assume A303 limit of 70mph). Motorists are not safe when he is driving.

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