Gatwick Taxi Thief Banned After 130mph Highway Police Chase
A man who stole a taxi from Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal sparked chaos on the M25 and M40 with a deadly high-speed police chase. Mohammed Ahmed, 24, pushed his stolen Mercedes taxi past 130mph, ignoring roadworks and traffic laws in a desperate bid to escape.
Wild Chase Across Motorways
Ahmed grabbed the unattended taxi after the driver stepped away, keys still inside. He then tore through construction zones and flouted traffic signals, even driving on the wrong side of the road and wrong routes at roundabouts. Police set up tyre deflation spikes, but Ahmed ploughed on, losing a tyre yet keeping speeds above 100mph.
The National Police Air Service helicopter tracked him, guiding Thames Valley and Warwickshire Police. The chase ended in a cul-de-sac in Walsall, where officers finally caught Ahmed.
Legal Hit: Suspended Jail, Ban, & £1,450 Fine
Charged with aggravated vehicle theft and dangerous driving, Ahmed faced Lewes Crown Court on August 4. The Walsall man was handed an 18-month driving ban and 150 hours of community service under a 14-month suspended jail sentence.
- 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement sessions
- £841.53 compensation to the taxi driver
- £425 court costs
- £187 victim surcharge
Police Praise Swift, Joint Effort
“Ahmed’s reckless driving endangered all road users,” said Detective Inspector Darren Lillywhite. “The seamless teamwork between police units was vital in bringing him to justice.”
This brazen stunt took place on September 17 last year. Ahmed even tried to cover his tracks by dumping ID documents at the taxi driver’s home before fleeing—only to be caught in the end.
