Man steals Gatwick airport taxi and sparks 130mph chase after being refused ride

The 24-year-old drove the stolen car more than 150 miles before he was pursued along the M25 and M40, where he reached speeds of over 130mph (209 km/h).

Unemployed Ahmed continued racing along the motorway after losing a tyre when officers deployed a stinger.

Sussex Police have released footage of the motorist's "reckless" driving before he abandoned the vehicle in Rowley Place, off New Street, in Walsall.

Ahmed was arrested by police and charged with aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving.

He was given a 14-month suspended prison sentence and disqualified from driving for 18 months.

The thief was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation to the taxi driver.

Detective Inspector Darren Lillywhite, from Sussex Police, said: "Ahmed had been refused a fare when he decided to take the taxi outside the South Terminal.

"His driving was so reckless that police were not able to continue pursuing him because of the risk it posed to other road users and officers.

"Our colleagues from NPAS tracked him, and fortunately our colleagues from Warwickshire Police roads policing unit were able to catch him and make the arrest.

"Ahmed is very lucky not to have caused serious harm to either himself, our officers, or other road users. His driving was appalling."

Lewes Crown Court heard that after Ahmed was declined a taxi, he approached the driver’s side of another parked vehicle while the owner had temporarily gone inside to collect their customer.

The driver had left the keys in the ignition meaning Ahmed was able to make off in the vehicle.

He attended the victim’s address to discard identification documents before driving off at speed.

The court heard he also went the wrong way around roundabouts, jumped red lights and drove on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic.