Watch: Welsh motorcyclist banned after failing to stop on Honda FireBlade in 120mph police pursuit

A Welsh motorcyclist, who failed to escape from Police officers aboard a black 1998 Honda FireBlade, has been banned from riding for 12 months, and ordered to pay £200 in additional costs.

Paul Desmond Kelly, 43, from Cardiff had initially pulled over to the hard shoulder of Eastern Avenue in the city when asked to do so in March 2024.

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However, as officers pulled in behind, he decided to ride off – reaching speeds of 120mph, according to police data.

Following his conviction, South Wales Police released footage of the pursuit – showing Kelly speeding past cars, continually looking over his shoulder at the flashing blue lights and appearing to struggle to maintain control of the late 90s superbike.

A DVLA check of the bike further shows it to have been untaxed since October 2023, and without a valid MoT certificate since November 2020.

After a chase of almost three minutes, the bike was brought to a stop using slow-speed tactical contact, as Kelly attempted to ride the wrong way around a roundabout at Gabalfa Interchange.

In late January, the rider pleaded guilty to driving without due care attention, failure to stop for police, and driving without a valid test certificate.

The 1998 Honda CBR900RR FireBlade was powered by a 918cc four-cylinder engine, producing a claimed 128bhp. Capacity was upped to 929cc for 2000, and a 17in front wheel came in in replacement of the previous 16-incher.