Summary
A Cheltenham man whose “shocking” driving saw him reach 114mph while being chased by police between Tewkesbury and Gloucester has avoided being sent to prison. Patrick Bermingham was banned from driving for five years and given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, when he appeared before the town’s magistrates for sentencing.
Details
He had previously admitted a total of 11 offences, including one of using threatening words, during 2025. The most serious was a charge of aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving. Prosecuting, Cathy Thornton said Bermingham had been staying at the Cheltenham home of Graham James and his son when he took Mr James’ silver Mercedes car from his drive without asking him.
It happened in the early hours of June 24. Mrs Thornton said Mr James woke up and saw his car being driven away from the property when he looked out of a window. Having discovered that it was not his son who had taken the vehicle, Mr James called the police at about 2.20am to report it as stolen.
About an hour later, officers saw the car being driven at high speed on the A38 near Tewkesbury. Police dashcam footage, which was shown in court, revealed that Bermingham drove up to 80mph in built-up areas and reached a top speed of 114mph on a more open stretch of the road.
Mrs Thornton said the 35-year-old, of Harthurstfield Park, Fiddler’s Green Lane, Cheltenham, drove towards Twigworth and went through a red light before being forced to stop after passing through Norton. She said the police used two cars and a stinger device to bring the vehicle he was driving to a halt. He then apologised to the officers, saying his behaviour was due to being worried about a relationship.
The prosecutor added that Bermingham did not have a valid driving licence or insurance at the time of the incident. The court also heard that Bermingham had been verbally abusive to Melanie Tilley during an incident in Cheltenham on June 19 year. He also failed to provide police with a specimen for analysis after being suspected of drug driving in Gloucester on July 22 last year.
And on December 1 last year, he stole a Land Rover Freelander from Gotherington Cross Garage, Gotherington, while being banned from driving and having no insurance. Defending, Ranjit Bains said: “There is a history as to why these offences took place. He’s had issues with alcohol, drugs and his mental health.
He’s no longer taking drugs and his alcohol consumption has been considerably reduced.” Mr Bains added that he had engaged with mental health services and had been receiving counselling. Magistrates told Bermingham that his driving on the A38 had been “shocking” and that he had been “very fortunate not to have killed someone”.
What You Need to Know
About an hour later, officers saw the car being driven at high speed on the A38 near Tewkesbury. Police dashcam footage, which was shown in court, revealed that Bermingham drove up to 80mph in built-up areas and reached a top speed of 114mph on a more open stretch of the road.
And on December 1 last year, he stole a Land Rover Freelander from Gotherington Cross Garage, Gotherington, while being banned from driving and having no insurance. Defending, Ranjit Bains said: “There is a history as to why these offences took place. He’s had issues with alcohol, drugs and his mental health.