Shocking footage shows high-speed chase though Bristol

Helicopter footage of a high-speed police chase shows a driver reach speeds of up to 90mph as he lead police on a terrifying chase through Bristol.

A helicopter was scrambled to trace Michael Watson, 22, who was behind the wheel of the Saab as he zoomed at speeds of up to 90mph — on the wrong side of the road. 

The car was recorded as it veered erratically through the city streets, ignoring traffic signals throughout the 30-minute joyride.

Police gave chase in a patrol car, but it was deemed too dangerous to continue and a helicopter was sent out to track Watson — who was first banned from driving when he was just 14.

The aerial footage shows the car stopping abruptly after a stinger device deflated the Saab’s tyres before Watson legged it out the car.

Inside the car was a woman ‘screaming and hysterical’, a court was told.

Miraculously no-one was hurt but a judge who jailed Watson said he ‘treated the roads of this city as if they were yours and yours alone.’

The car, being driven by 22-year-old Michael Watson was driven at speeds of up to 90mph through Bristol City Centre 

While officers quizzed him, Watson pretended to snore and labelled them ‘pigs’..

He said he had done nothing wrong, despite the footage showing the car speeding at 70mph along a street with a 20mph limit.

The footage showed him driving on the wrong side of the road on a dual carriageway past Cabot Circus in the city centre, at speeds of 90mph along the 30mph stretch.

He drove straight through junctions and ignored ‘no entry’ signs.

Prosecutor Charley Pattison said: ‘In interview he was rude and obnoxious and pretended to snore.

‘He answered no comment, said an officer was a pig and he had done nothing wrong.’

Watson, of Failand, Bristol, admitted dangerous driving while disqualified and without insurance after his joyride on July 28.

While officers quizzed him, Watson pretended to snore and labelled them 'pigs'. He said he had done nothing wrong, despite the footage showing the car speeding at 70mph along a street with a 20mph limit

While officers quizzed him, Watson pretended to snore and labelled them ‘pigs’. He said he had done nothing wrong, despite the footage showing the car speeding at 70mph along a street with a 20mph limit

He also admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance in April.

Defending, Catherine Flint, said Watson was first convicted aged 12 and disqualified from driving aged 14.

She said: ‘He doesn’t seek to minimise or excuse his behaviour.

‘He recognises his driving was wholly unacceptable and dangerous.

‘It was probably down to luck that no-one was hurt, himself included.’

Defending, Catherine Flint, said Watson was first convicted aged 12 and disqualified from driving aged 14.

Defending, Catherine Flint, said Watson was first convicted aged 12 and disqualified from driving aged 14.

Recorder Richard Onslow told Watson: ‘In the early hours of July 28 you treated the roads of this city as if they were yours and yours alone.

‘For 24 minutes you had an utter, utter disregard for the safety of any other possible road user.

‘If anybody had happened to be legitimately using the roads in a correct manner and crossed your path, that would probably be the end of them.

Watson was sentenced to 16 months and banned from driving for five years and eight months, at Bristol Crown Court

Watson was sentenced to 16 months and banned from driving for five years and eight months, at Bristol Crown Court

‘You simply couldn’t have cared less whether or not anybody happened to be driving.’

As he was sent down to the cells, Watson turned to the judge and said: ‘Thank you so much.’

He was sentenced to 16 months and banned from driving for five years and eight months, at Bristol Crown Court.

Watson was also ordered to pass an extended driving test.

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