A motorcyclist who reached speeds of more than 148mph on the A1 near Sawtry has been jailed for 30 months.

The Hunts Post: Paul WhyattPaul Whyatt (Image: Archant)

Paul Whyatt, 57, of Wisbech Road, Thorney, was handed the sentence at Peterborough Crown Court, on March 9, after being found guilty of two counts of perverting the course of justice and two counts of dangerous driving.

He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article.

The court heard Whyatt was driving his BMW S1000 RR motorbike with false number plates on April 4, 2015, when he overtook an off-duty police officer on solid white lines.

On April 9, the same officer was on duty on the A1 near Sawtry when he saw Whyatt again, still displaying false plates.

Whyatt was asked to pull over, but instead increased his speed to more than 148mph.

Officers began a pursuit, but it was discontinued due its speed and risk to the rider and members of the public.

Almost two weeks later on April 22, officers were travelling to an emergency call on the A15 Paston Parkway when Whyatt undertook one of the vehicles, making off onto the A47 - this time with the correct plates.

Police were deployed to block him at the A47 roundabout at the start of the Thorney bypass, but Whyatt failed to stop and accelerated again to reach speeds of more than 100mph.

The defendant then travelled through Thorney village and hit more than 114mph as he went back towards the A47.

The court heard that while officers were forced to stop the pursuit again, they were able to trace Whyatt’s details from his correct plates and arrested him later that evening.

Whyatt claimed he had not been riding the bike, but mobile phone data and video footage showing his clothing led officers to believe otherwise.

The defendant also claimed another man had been riding his bike in Thorney in 2013 when a speed camera was activated for riding 47mph in a 30mph zone.

PC Stuart Adam, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “The fact that Whyatt has received a lengthy custodial sentence for offences that didn’t result in injury or death demonstrates just how serious the courts take driving in this manner on our county’s roads.

“Whyatt’s motorbike had a top speed of 180mph and it’s clear from the video footage that on occasions he was reaching very high speeds.”

Whyatt was also handed a Criminal Behaviour Order, banning him from riding a motorbike over 50cc for four years and three months.

He has also been disqualified from driving for three years and three months.