A RUSSIAN diplomat's son who drove at 140mph on a Hampshire motorway has narrowly escaped jail.

Traffic police arrested Sabir Chodiev, 19, who was already banned from driving, after his BMW rocketed past traffic on the M3.

An eye-witness described how Chodiev's car had surged past him on the inside lane.

The BMW was spotted slipstreaming a Mercedes.

Southampton Crown Court was told police set up checks on the A31 between Lyndhurst and Ringwood and both vehicles were eventually stopped.

Chodiev, who lives in Chelsea, London, pleaded guilty to three offences of driving while banned, attempting to pervert the course of justice and two of dangerous driving.

Imposing a combination order of an 18-months' community rehabilitation order and 90 hours community service, judge Paul Darlow he said he had missed custody by "the skin of his teeth.'' Chodiev was also banned for two-a-half-years.