A dangerous driver who carried out what officers described as some of the worst driving and most high risk manoeuvres they have ever witnessed during a pursuit has been sentenced. Martin Stokes, 20, of no fixed address, appeared at Swindon Crown Court today after previously pleading guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop, 2x assaulting an emergency worker, criminal damage, driving whilst disqualified, 4x threats to kill, using a vehicle without insurance and 2 theft offences. He was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 76 months. At 9pm on July 8, officers were alerted to Stokes driving a Ford Mustang in a dangerous manner on the M4 westbound. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it made off, driving the wrong way around the junction 15 roundabout, joining the A419 heading north on the southbound carriageway against the flow of traffic before exiting the A419 onto the A420. During the pursuit Stokes went head on with motorcyclists, cars and HGVs where he put multiple lives at risk including his own and a 15-year-old child who was later discovered within the vehicle he was driving. On the A420 just outside Watchfield, Stokes repeatedly rammed police vehicles in an attempt to escape, before being brought to a stop through tactical contact by officers. After he was arrested, Stokes threatened to murder officers at the scene, as well as two critical care paramedics. Stokes was also linked to two further thefts that occurred at Go Outdoors, Swindon in June 2026. T/PS Ben Greening, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “Stokes’ manner of driving on the day in question has to be some of the most dangerous driving I’ve witnessed. "His actions were reckless and put hundreds of road users at risk of harm. He showed no regard for the safety of anybody around him. His sole focus was evading police and he was prepared to go to extreme lengths to do so, including driving the wrong way round a motorway roundabout and against the flow of traffic on a busy dual carriageway followed by repeatedly ramming police vehicles and causing injury to officers. “The situation could very easily have had catastrophic consequences for members of the public, police officers, the child inside the vehicle or Stokes himself. It is only through the professionalism and swift actions of the officers involved that he was brought to a safe stop before anyone was more seriously harmed. “Even after his arrest, Stokes continued his aggressive behaviour, making threats to kill officers who had been carrying out their duties to protect the public and critical care paramedics who were present in trying to provide Stokes first aid. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of his offending and the significant danger he posed to our communities that evening. His actions were completely unacceptable and he has rightly been held accountable for them. "We will always take robust action against those who choose to use our roads in such a dangerous and criminal manner, and I hope this outcome sends a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.”