A MOTORCYCLIST who roared down a Hampshire motorway at more than 130mph in a desperate bid to shake off the police has been jailed for more than two years.

Lindsay Hastings was going so fast that pursuing officers couldn't keep up and had to call for reinforcements.

By the time they arrived the 29-year-old labourer had sped off the motorway and careered the wrong way down a dual-carriageway and slip road.

The drama began when two officers heard his powerful Honda approaching them along Redbridge Road, Southampton.

Estimating his speed at between 80 and 90mph, they chased Hastings who headed into Totton.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharpe described how Hastings then:

Cut up a car at a roundabout.

Drove through the town at up to 70mph.

Drove on the wrong side of the road.

Turned back onto the Totton bypass accelerating to 90mph.

Caused a lorry to brake sharply as he drove on to the M271.

Accelerated to more than 130mph on the M27, pulling away from police who had radioed for back-up.

Turned off on to the A326, going the wrong way down the dual-carriageway and slip road.

Hastings drove to the entrance of Paultons Park, having lost the pursuing police car, and ditched the machine.

But other officers found the abandoned vehicle and then discovered Hastings trying to hitch a lift from another motorist.

Hastings, of Jackie Wigg Gardens, Totton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and having no insurance.

Southampton Crown Court heard that at the time he was on licence from a seven-year term for a horrific attack on a police officer.

Helen Fields, defending admitted Hastings had behaved inexcusably.

She said: "Thankfully nobody was hurt. He is very lucky that can be said on his behalf. He needs to grow up and is standing at the door of the last chance saloon.''

But Judge John Boggis QC rejected recommendations of probation as unrealistic, and jailed him for 25 months.

"It is no thanks to you that you are not standing here on more serious charges. You have demonstrated a complete flouting of the law. This was appalling behaviour and the only appropriate sentence is one of custody.''

Hastings was also banned for two years and ordered to re-take his driving test.