Driver accused of doing up to 200mph on motorway denies charges

A man accused of driving an Audi at speeds of up to 200mph on a motorway during lockdown has appeared in court.

James Hollett is charged in relation to an incident on the M23 southbound between Gatwick Airport and Crawley in West Sussex in April 2020.

The 40-year-old appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to face three charges – aggravated vehicle-taking and dangerous driving, and two counts of dangerous driving.

Hollett, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, is accused of taking an Audi without its owner’s consent on April 26 2020 and driving it dangerously along the motorway while recording on a mobile phone.

The M23 runs south from Hooley in Surrey down to Crawley and has a 70mph speed limit.

The other charges Hollett faces relate to alleged dangerous driving near Crawley on the same day, and in Horsham in June 2019.

He was summonsed to court following an investigation by Sussex Police which included the seizure of a black Audi RS6.

The case was adjourned and sent to Lewes Crown Court, where Hollett is to appear on September 1.