Cardiff Motorcyclist Banned After High-Speed Chase

A Cardiff man, Paul Desmond Kelly, 43, has been banned from riding for 12 months after leading South Wales Police on a high-speed chase in March 2024. The incident began when officers pulled Kelly over on the hard shoulder of Eastern Avenue, but instead of complying, he attempted to flee, reaching speeds of 120mph on his 1998 Honda FireBlade.

Dashcam footage released by police shows Kelly weaving through traffic and frequently looking over his shoulder, appearing to struggle with control of the aging superbike. His attempt to escape came to an end after nearly three minutes when officers stopped him using slow-speed tactical contact as he tried to navigate the Gabalfa Interchange the wrong way.

Further checks on the vehicle revealed that it had been untaxed since October 2023 and without a valid MoT certificate since November 2020, raising concerns about its roadworthiness. The 1998 Honda CBR900RR FireBlade, once known for its 918cc four-cylinder engine producing 128bhp, was clearly not in peak condition for such a stunt.

In January 2025, Kelly pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including driving without due care and attention, failure to stop for police, and operating a vehicle without a valid test certificate. As a result, he was banned from riding for a year and ordered to pay £200 in additional costs.

While the incident may have looked dramatic, it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of attempting to evade law enforcement at high speeds, especially on a bike with questionable maintenance. Authorities continue to stress the importance of vehicle safety and compliance with traffic laws to avoid similar reckless situations.