A motorcyclist who led a police car and two helicopters on a chase across three counties at speeds of up to 136mph has escaped a prison sentence.

Dean Devitt, 36, of Arlington Drive, Old Marston, Oxford, appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court yesterday after previously pleading guilty to dangerous driving while riding from Crawley in Surrey to Oxford on August 1.

Devitt was followed by Surrey traffic officers for 22 miles after he overtook their car at 124mph on the M25 near Reigate.

A Surrey police helicopter then followed, as he rode at speeds of between 100mph and 136mph, undertaking cars, using aggressive hand gestures and flashing other motorists with his lights.

A Thames Valley Police helicopter took over the final stage of the 80-mile pursuit as Devitt cut across a lorry and a car on the M25 at the last moment to join the A40 at junction 8.

He was sentenced to 80 days in prison suspended for two years, ordered to do 240 hours community service and banned from driving for three years. He was also ordered to pay £43 costs.

See Saturday's Oxford Mail for pictures of the chase and Devitt's own views on the case.