THE actions of two drivers who boxed in a drugged driver and forced him onto the hard shoulder of the M5 has been commended by a judge at Worcester Crown Court.

Judge John Cavell ordered that public funds be made available to reward Andrew Williamson and Neil Leggett who managed to use their damaged vehicles to force Euglent Sema off the carriageway after he crashed into their cars on the northbound stretch between junctions eight, the M50, and seven, Worcester south, on March 16 this year.

Judge Cavell said: “The actions of these two men prevented serious injuries or even worse to drivers using the motorway at a busy time.

"The award is nominal in monetary value, but should be made as recognition for their actions.”

Peter Parson, prosecuting, said Sema, aged 28, of Manchester Road, Swindon, had been driving erratically in a car he had taken from the car cleaning firm where he worked.

Tests later revealed Sema had taken cocaine. He was also found with cocaine weighing 65.3g, worth about £3,000.

Sema admitted taking a vehicle without consent, driving whilst disqualified, driving whilst under the influence of drugs.

Jason Aris, defending, said Sema’s poor driving record in recent years was a reaction to his mother’s death. He was sentenced to 14 months in prison.