Biker fractures spine during 100mph police chase and then things got even worse

A motorcyclist who topped speeds of 100mph whilst trying to escape from police fractured his spine after crashing into a tree. Joshua Kirby spent several minutes travelling at high speeds and repeatedly went more than double the speed limit.

Nottinghamshire Police saw Kirby travelling the wrong way around a Broxtowe roundabout on August 31, 2024 at around 10.20pm. The 35-year-old ignored their orders to stop and instead sped away.

He went out of sight for a short while but was later spotted in Nottingham Road, Nuthall. They turned on their blue lights but Kirby failed to stop again and instead increased is speed and made a number of dangerous overtakes in a bid to get away.

The motorcyclist went well over the legal limit a number of times and at one point topped 100mph in a 50mph zone. Whilst travelling through the village of Moorgreen he misjudged a bend and hit a tree.

When officers caught up to the bike they found it badly damaged in the middle of Dovecote Road, whilst Kirby was nowhere to be seen. The 35-year-old was arrested nearby.

He had suffered a fractured spine, broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder after crashing into a tree. After the motorbike's details were run through the police system it was found that Kirby was using cloned plates.

Kirby, of Easegill Court, Top Valley, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, November 29, after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. It was also found that he had breached a suspended sentence order.

Kirby was jailed for two years and eight months and has been banned from driving for five years and two months. He must also pass an extended driving re-test before he is eligible to drive again.

PC Natalie Short, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The appalling bad bike riding standards Kirby showcased on that night put everyone on the roads with him in danger. Over the course of several minutes, he ignored multiple orders from police to pull over, and instead sped his motorbike up to more than double the legal limit.

“One example of this saw Kirby exceed 100mph, despite him being in a 50mph zone at the time, which is clearly completely unacceptable. He suffered serious injuries as a result of his actions and it's fortunate he didn't cause any injury to others sharing the roads with him."