A warehouse worker who was trying to save enough money to buy a gravestone for his father turned to dealing cannabis when he lost his job.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Justin Nichols was working in Avonmouth but could no longer get to work from his home in Newport when the staff coach stopped.
His barrister Nigel Fryer said his dad died suddenly from a heart attack and he was trying to save up for a headstone.
Nichols was caught by the police with cannabis and cash in his rucksack after driving a stolen motorbike the wrong way down the M4 near Newport.
Byron Broadstock, prosecuting, said he initially caught an officer’s attention by riding “at speed” on the A48 on December 17.
The officer found the motorbike had been stolen from Bath and saw the defendant mount a pavement as he realised he was being watched.
Prosecutors said Nichols fled as the officer turned on his blue flashing lights and was travelling at more than double the speed limit. Police decided not to pursue him as it was too dangerous.
These offenders were locked up last month:
The following day another officer saw the stolen motorbike in Bettws Lane in Newport.
He saw the defendant flip down the visor of his helmet and drive through a red traffic light. Nichols sped past a school at 60mph and did not stop when police used a stinger device.
The court heard he rode the wrong way down Malpas Road, a dual carriageway, then the wrong way down the M4 on the hard shoulder.
He abandoned the motorbike and ran off. Officers gave chase and arrested him, finding £160 worth of cannabis in his rucksack along with £1,270 in cash.
Mr Broadstock said he had 10 previous convictions including battery, driving while under the influence of drugs and shoplifting.
Nichols, 24, from Llanthewy Road in Newport, admitted two counts of aggravated vehicle taking, two of riding without a licence or insurance, and two of failing to stop. He also admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
Mr Fryer said: “Through me he would apologise profusely for his behaviour. He panicked and rode away. In the cold light of day he realises that is something he should not have done.”
He said his client grew up in the care system and had a “chaotic upbringing”.
Mr Fryer said he turned to dealing cannabis when he lost his job. The job remained open but he could no longer get to work when the staff coach stopped operating from Newport.
Judge Nicola Jones jailed for him for 28 months and disqualified him from driving for 18 months from the time of his release.
