120mph driver with £1m of drugs in boot is jailed

A driver who reached 120mph on the M5 and who had £1.3m of drugs in his car boot told arresting officers they'd had "a good day at the office".

David Sherratt was driving a black Peugeot 3008 when officers from West Midlands Police attempted to pull him over.

He drove off, reaching speeds of up to 120mph on the southbound side of the M5, before heading on to the M42, while being followed by both a car and helicopter. He was arrested near Alvechurch.

Sherratt, 48, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possessing the drug with intent to supply, and dangerous driving and was sentenced to 12 years and nine months at Warwick Crown Court on 7 July.

David Sherratt was sentenced to 12 years and nine months in prison

Police found cocaine inside Sports Direct bags in Sherratt's boot

The force said his boot contained Sports Direct bags, each one holding 18kg of cocaine, with the total value up to £1.3m.

Sherratt smashed his phone against the dashboard in what police believe was an attempt to destroy evidence.

Upon his arrest, he told officers: "Good day at the office, lads."

Messages showed he had been involved in the collection of a further 135kg of drugs - worth up to £5m in total.

Police said he would deliver the drugs around the country, earning up to £2,000 per kilogram.

"Sherratt's attempt to get away from our officers was dangerous and put other road users at risk, but great work by the road crime team meant the pursuit was brought to a safe conclusion," said Det Ch Insp Peter Cooke.

"He played a significant role in the distribution of drugs around the country but will now be spending years behind bars."

West Mercia Police said he had 12 previous convictions for 19 offences, which date back to 1995.

He was jailed for six years in 2016 for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was further jailed for more than four years in 2020 for additional drugs offences.