A coroner has ruled that a man who killed a children’s author died following a police pursuit when he struck a tree at 145mph after taking cannabis.
Alex Sartain had attacked Cllr James Nash at his home in Upper Enham, near Andover, on August 5, 2020. Following this incident, Mr Sartain returned to his father’s workshop, before leaving on a motorbike and dumping weapons and blood-stained clothing by the side of the road.
He was then found by a police helicopter, with a short pursuit taking place. However, Mr Sartain then “accelerated significantly” and officers lost track of him. Shortly afterwards, while taking a corner on the A343 at Doiley Hill, near Hurstbourne Tarrant, he clipped a car and lost control of his bike, hitting a tree at high speed.