Lorry driver who 'endangered countless lives' by speeding wrong way down motorway is jailed

John Taylor filmed repeatedly almost crashing into oncoming traffic on M18

A lorry driver who endangered dozens of lives when he deliberately took his 7.5 tonne vehicle the wrong way down a motorway has been jailed.

John Taylor was filmed speeding down the M18 for several miles – narrowly avoiding several collisions.

He had previously rammed a police car with the vehicle before joining the motorway near Doncaster during the incident on 10 January.

He eventually performed a U-turn before dumping the lorry in the emergency carriageway and running across three lanes of traffic.

Police later found him hiding in a caravan.

The 30-year-old, of Riverside Traveller Park in Kirkhouse Green, Doncaster, admitted dangerous driving at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching a suspended sentence and two counts of assaulting police officers.

He was sentenced to 28 months in prison.

Detective Constable William McClean, of South Yorkshire Police, who investigated the case, said: "He endangered countless lives that day through his reckless and dangerous actions.

"He put responsible road users at risk not only whilst in the vehicle, but by dumping the lorry and then running through three lanes of traffic on a busy motorway."

Det Con McClean added: "We are pleased with the sentence he has received and hope that it acts as a deterrent for anyone else who drives dangerously on our roads."